February 6, 2007 

Honorable Robert Gates
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC  20301

Dear Secretary Gates,

As you are aware, the Iowa National Guard's 1st Battalion, 133^rd Infantry Regiment, part of the 1^st Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division will have its tour in Iraq extended as a result of the decision to increase troop levels.  The 1-133 includes more than 600 Iowa citizen-soldiers.  These Guard members were scheduled to return home this March and April.  We have been told the extension will last no more than 125 days, meaning some Iowa Guard members may now be in Iraq through July. 

While we understand that the decision has been made, and we are now united in ensuring our Guard members and their families are supported and appreciated during this difficult time.  We believe that an appropriate acknowledgement of this additional sacrifice must be made.  Therefore, we request that all Guard members who have their tours extended due to increased troop levels receive hardship pay to compensate them for the extra time they will spend in Iraq.

Precedence for granting hardship pay has been established.  We understand that soldiers in the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Alaska who had their tours extended by four months received hardship pay.  It is also our understanding that active component soldiers kept longer than one year in Iraq receive an extra $1,000 in pay per month. A similar payment structure should apply to our Iowa National Guard members who are having their tours extended.  In addition, we request that reintegration programs in Iowa be funded their full validated amount for pay and allowances, training resources, and contracted support.

Additionally, the extension of service for Iowa National Guard units will cause great hardships on the families, employers, and home communities of the members of the Brigade; therefore, as needs are identified, we ask that the Department of Defense provide funding and resources to mitigate the effects of the extension. 

News of an extension can have a significant psychological impact on America’s brave men and women in uniform.  Similarly, the way in which the troops receive this news is of the utmost importance.  We find it unacceptable that members of the 1-133rd Infantry Battalion learned of the extension of their tour through reading websites and from family members, and not through the proper chain of command.  They should have been notified either in advance, or in conjunction with, notification to the public.  Under no circumstances should the troops be notified after the public.

Please offer an explanation as to why members of the 1-133rd Infantry Battalion did not receive notification of the extension either prior to, or in conjunction with, the notification of the public.  We also request that you take steps to ensure that, in the future, America’s men and women in uniform always receive notification of a redeployment or extension either prior to, or in conjunction with, notification to the public.

Finally, we strongly encourage the Department of Defense to eliminate the 90-day hands-off policy as it applies to members of the reserve component returning from war.  Rather, we recommend implementing a reintegration program that focuses on participatory events - specifically a program that brings together service members, their families, and service providers during this crucial 90-day period.  A program such as this during the first 90 days of reintegration would mirror programs that are available to active component soldiers on military bases and promote a smooth transition from warrior to citizen.

Thank you for your prompt attention and consideration of this matter.

Signed

Senator Amanda Ragan

Senator Becky Schmitz

Senator Bill Heckroth

Senator Brian Schoenjahn

Senator Daryl Beall

Senator Dave Mulder

Senator Dennis H. Black

Senator Dick L. Dearden

Senator Dr. Joe M. Seng

Senator E. Thurman Gaskill

Senator Frank Wood

Senator Gene Fraise

Senator Herman C. Quirmbach

Senator Hubert Houser

Senator Jack Hatch

Senator Jeff Danielson

Senator Joe Bolkcom

Senator John P. "Jack" Kibbie

Senator John Putney

Senator Keith A. Kreiman

Senator Larry McKibben

Senator Mark Zieman

Senator Mary Lundby

Senator Matt McCoy

Senator Michael Connolly

Senator Michael E. Gronstal

Senator Paul McKinley

Senator Rich Olive

Senator Rob Hogg

Senator Robert E. Dvorsky

Senator Roger Stewart

Senator Ron Wieck

Senator Staci Appel

Senator Steve Warnstadt

Senator Thomas G. Courtney

Senator Tom Hancock

Senator Tom Rielly

Senator Wally E. Horn

Senator William A. Dotzler, Jr.