Russell Gibson, government and legislative affairs director for the Oregon Military Department, updated the committee on National Guard mobilizations and the department’s recent retention initiative.

Gibson reviewed authorities for Guard service (Title 10, Title 32 and state active duty) and described a rapid mobilization in late September that put about 200 soldiers on orders for training and civil‑defense missions at Camp Rilea. Some personnel were demobilized to major force generating installations (Fort Hood/Fort Bliss); OMD said it retains flexibility to rotate and replace soldiers to meet mission and hardship considerations.

On retention, Gibson highlighted the Oregon State Retention Bonus (OSRB): a state‑funded $5,000 bonus for service members who extend for three years (effective July 1, 2025). Early data show the program materially improved retention metrics: a 15% increase in three‑year extensions among recipients, an 11% decrease in one‑to‑two‑year extensions and 88 soldiers changed intent from ‘ETS/undecided’ to reenlisting for three years after receiving the bonus. Gibson said the fourth quarter (July–Sept. 2025) accounted for 25% of the year’s retentions, unusually high for that period.

Why it matters: Gibson framed the OSRB as a cost‑effective tool to sustain force readiness and noted that rapid mobilization exercises provide lessons for state response capacity if domestic disasters require state active duty.

What’s next: OMD will return in January for a fuller briefing; committee members thanked the department for the update and the committee commended the retention results.