EANGUS Legislative Priorities

Mission Statement

Our mission is to promote, safeguard, and improve the status, welfare, and professionalism of enlisted National Guard members, veterans, retirees, and their families through legislation, employment, education, emergency resources, and partnerships.

• Leading advocacy: Serve as the foremost advocate for past, present and future enlisted National Guard service members and their families in Washington, D.C.
• Enhancing readiness and quality of life: Continuously improve National Guard readiness, modernization, and quality of life within the total force.
• Preserving heritage: Preserve and promote the National Guard’s rich heritage as the first military organization of the United States.

EANGUS’ legislative priorities derive from the resolutions submitted by our membership, either individually, by state, or by area; and voted on at our annual conference. Every member has a voice!

SHIELD Core Values

              Service – Honor – Integrity – Excellence – Loyalty – Discipline 

Legislative Priorities

1. Comprehensive health care coverage 
2. Support for child care and family programs 
3. Enhanced educational benefits 
4. Equitable pay and retirement compensation 
5. Modernization of equipment and training 

For more information on this or any other issues concerning the National Guard, please contact:  

• Michael T. Lane, Legislative Director: (318) 516-0017 
• David J. Daniels, IV, Manager of Legislative Affairs: (251) 591-5458 

Legislative Priorities Breakdown 

1. Comprehensive health care coverage 
   • • TRICARE for all   
     • Coverage for family planning and reproductive care 
     • Eliminate 5-year requirement for VA health care benefits 
     • Alternative mental health residential rehabilitation treatment programs for veterans   
     • TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) reform:
       • TRS extension for surviving families 
       • Automatic re‐enrollment in TRS after active duty under TRICARE Prime 
       • Technician eligibility for TRS to take effect before January 1, 2030 
2. Support for child care and family programs 
   • • Child care program assistance and improvement 
     • Spouse employment 
     • Maternity and parental leave 
     • Increase in Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance coverage for dependents 
3. Enhanced educational benefits 
   • • GI Bill Parity Act 
     • Revising of Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) allocation under the Post-9/11 GI Bill   
     • Air National Guard Federal Tuition Assistance   
4. Equitable pay and retirement compensation 
   • • Total force policy   
     • Active Guard Reserve control grade modernization and increase in end strength 
     • Modernization of locality pay and BAH types (I/II/transit/non‐locality/BAH reserve) 
     • Amend tax code for above-the-line deductions and tax penalty waivers 
     • Retirement specific: 
       • Concurrent receipt of retirement and disability benefits   
       • Affordable TRICARE for gray area retirees 
       • Thrift savings plan contribution limits  
5. Modernization of equipment and training  
   • • Call for fire trainer and small arms simulation platform 
     • Streamline Army email and collaboration system 
     • Recapitalization of the fighter platform and other aviation equipment 
     • Modular vehicle protection platform for improvised explosive device survivability 
     • Secure tactical chat communication software systems for remotely piloted aircraft and air operation center communities

PDF version of legislative priorities available here.

Last Updated: July 17, 2024