THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD: FULFILLING THEIR MISSIONS

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- After weathering a decline in membership that meant the loss of units in the 1990s, the Missouri National Guard is again nearing 100 percent strength.

That decade's membership peaked in 1991 at 9,681, but five years later, the number of men and women serving in the state Army National Guard dropped to a decade low of 7,163.

The guard attributes its resurgence in large part to recent legislation improving benefits for those who enlist. As of Nov. 30, the Army Guard had 8,045 people in uniform, or 97.8 percent of its government-authorized strength of 8,223. The smaller Air Guard boasted 2,613 members, 35 over its authorized strength.

Combined, the Missouri Guard is at 98 percent of full strength, and the gain in membership has Washington considering increasing the number of units in the state.

Maj. Gen. John Havens, the Guard's adjutant general, attributes the turnaround to state legislation passed earlier this year that provides recruits with 100 percent college tuition assistance at the University of Missouri's per-credit-hour rate.

"That's really opened it up for the young people of the state," Havens said. "Now anyone who wants to serve their country in the National Guard can get a free education at their choice of colleges."

Because units were deactivated during the period of decline, the Missouri Guard's full strength is less than in the past.

"Three years ago, when I became adjutant general, our strength was at 83 percent. The Pentagon was pulling units away from us because we couldn't fill them and moving them to states that could," Havens said. "This has turned us around now to where we don't have to worry about losing units and, in fact, Washington is now looking to send more units our way."

Nationwide, the National Guard has units in 3,000 communities in 54 states and territories. Units are located in 64 Missouri cities, including several throughout Southeast Missouri -- in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Perryville, Poplar Bluff, Doniphan, Sikeston, Charleston, Dexter, Bernie, Portageville, Kennett and Caruthersville.

Prior to 1968, the Missouri National Guard was primarily state run. Since that time, the federal government has taken over most of the financial responsibility for maintaining the Guard. The Missouri Guard's annual budget consists of $339 million in federal money and another $10 million from the state.

Lt. Col Mark McCarter, the Guard's recruiting and retention manager, gets a big smile on his face when asked about the Guard's ability to compete with the four active branches of the service for the same pool of recruits.

"We whoop their butts daily," McCarter said. "Why is that? We've got the best product for any young American who wants to serve their country and still get a college education or stay at home with their family. You can not do that with the Air Force, or the active Army, Marine Corps or Navy."

Also, Guard members can serve in their hometowns in missions that directly benefit their communities. That is not usually possible in the active branches.

"Is that to say we're better than the active Army? I would never say that," McCarter said. "Are we as good as the active Army? You bet, and at one-quarter the dollar" cost to taxpayers.

While recruiters appeal to a potential recruit's sense of patriotism, McCarter admits that being able to appeal to their wallets has helped in boosting troop strength.

With parental consent, a high school junior can enlist and go through basic training in the summer prior to their senior year. After graduation, they spend the next summer in specialty training.

In addition to college tuition, a recruit can make up to $7,000 a year in tax-free pay for working only 39 days a year one weekend a month and two week a year.

For a full-time student, "that's certainly better than flipping burgers," McCarter said.

Offering improved financial benefits has paid off in terms of recruitment, McCarter said.

"We've had some phenomenal increases," McCarter said. "We used to average around 120, 125 enlistments a month. Now we're around 160 enlistments a month."

TROOP STRENGTH

Total Missouri Army National Guard troop strength at the end of each fiscal year since FY 1990. Figure for FY 2001 is as of Nov. 30.

2001, 8,045

2000, 8,000

1999, 7,430

1998, 7,430

1997, 7,353

1996, 7,163

1995, 7,340

1994, 8,002

1993, 8,841

1992, 9,192

1991, 9,681

1990, 9,660

Source: Missouri National Guard