Senators press Army on Guard health coverage, family advocacy staffing and Arctic readiness
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Summary
Senators pressed Army leaders to improve health coverage access for reserve and Guard members, address family advocacy staffing gaps at Fort Wainwright and ensure Arctic units have the specialized gear and training they need.
WASHINGTON — Senators used a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing to press Army leaders on National Guard health coverage, family advocacy staffing and whether the Army’s sole Arctic division has the equipment it needs.
Reserve and Guard health coverage: Senator Moran described legislation he is developing to expand premium‑free health coverage for reserve and Guard members and asked whether Army leaders would work with him to improve TRICARE access. Secretary Dan Driscoll said he would “be honored to work with your office on that,” and Gen. George also committed to engage with the senator’s staff.
Family advocacy staffing: Senator Mikalaski (transcript spelling) raised concerns that Fort Wainwright had lost all family advocacy personnel, a program that coordinates prevention and response to child abuse, neglect and domestic or intimate‑partner violence. Driscoll said the Army would follow up with the senator’s office, review waiver authorities and “double down” to ensure critical positions are not blocked from hire during personnel actions and hiring freezes.
Arctic readiness and equipment: Senators asked whether the 11th Airborne and other Arctic units have cold‑weather gear, sufficient airlift and vehicles designed for cold environments. Gen. George and Driscoll said the Army is buying cold‑weather all‑terrain vehicles (CATVs), increasing cold‑weather training and reviewing headquarters and equipment allocation to ensure Arctic‑unique needs are met; they said some installation‑level adjustments are underway and that they will continue to review requirements.
Guard parity and integration: Senators repeatedly asked that the Guard receive parity in equipment, training and modernization. Driscoll and George said they intend to treat the Guard “exactly how we treat the active duty component” in transformation efforts, and they described efforts to field mobile brigade combat teams and drones to relevant Guard units.
Follow up: Army leaders agreed to provide more details and work with senators on legislation and staffing fixes; senators said they will follow up in writing and expected substantive responses within the committee’s request timeline.