Rep. Courtney Announces Legislation Providing Equal Benefits to National Guard Technicians

Press Release

Rep. Courtney Announces Legislation Providing Equal Benefits to National Guard Technicians

During a press conference today at Camp Rell in Niantic, Representative Joe Courtney announced his intention to introduce the National Guard Technician Recruitment and Retention Act of 2008, which would end the inequitable treatment of military technicians, like those who serve at Groton's 1109th Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD) and across Connecticut.

"Military technicians are asked to meet all of the same requirements of their fellow Guardsmen and their sacrifice is just as great when called to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan," Courtney stated. "There isn't a single reason why military technicians, the backbone of our National Guard, should be deprived of the same incentives and compensation as those serving at their shoulders. My bill reverses this outdated and out of touch policy."

Most military technicians are considered "dual-status" personnel who must retain membership in the Air or Army National Guard in their State in order to maintain full-time civilian employment as a military technician. The Technician Act of 1969 disqualified these dual-status technicians from receiving many of the benefits fellow Guardsmen received, such as enlistment and reenlistment bonuses and student loan repayment programs.

In addition, under current law, if a member of the National Guard becomes a military technician within six months of receiving an enlistment or reenlistment bonus, the Department of Defense can, and often does, require the technician to repay the bonus.

Additionally, under current law, if a member of the Nation Guard becomes a military technician within six months of receiving an enlistment or reenlistment bonus, the Department of Defense can, and often does, require the technician to repay the bonus.

The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) supports Congressman Courtney's legislation because the "bill will allow Guard members who join the full time work force as dual status military technicians to retain any bonuses to which they may be eligible. It also allows those who are already dual status military technicians to receive appropriate bonuses as any other Guard member may. It also repeals the nonpayment of overtime pay to dual status military technicians," stated MSG Michael P. Cline, USA (Ret), Executive Director of EANGUS.

"On behalf of The Association's members, I wish to personally thank you for presenting a bill that will open an entitlement to Guard Technicians that is long overdue and needed to create equality with other Guard members and Federal workers as a whole. Our members in your state of Connecticut, as well as around the United States appreciate your efforts. In this time of extra effort from the workforce and extended tours of duty, this bill will let all technicians know they are appreciated for the many extra hours and days they give in support of our freedoms," states Thomas Bantas, National President, Association of Civilian Technicians, in a letter to Congressman Courtney supporting the legislation.

Military technicians play a critical role in supporting the Connecticut National Guard. For example, military technicians at the 1109th AVCRAD provide maintenance and logistics for military aircraft and equipment for 14 states across the Northeast and supports Connecticut's fleet of Black Hawk helicopters. One hundred fifty members of the 1109th AVCRAD, including one hundred military technicians, are currently deployed in Iraq.

Courtney's legislation seeks to bring equity and fairness to military technicians nationwide by ending restrictions on providing them bonuses and other benefits available to members of the National Guard.

"As Independence Day approaches, we must always remember that it takes every American to defend our rights and freedoms, but at times others are asked to sacrifice just a bit more. Those who serve in the military are owed our many thanks and appreciation, and fairness in compensation," added Courtney.

Congressman Joe Courtney was joined by Ralph Hedenberg, President, National Guard Association of CT (NGACT), Debbi Newton, Legislative Chair, NGACT, and Resolutions Chair, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the U.S., Dennis Oparowski, Legislative Co-Chair, NGACT, State Senator Andy Maynard, Co-Chair, Select Committee on Veterans Affairs, State of Connecticut General Assembly, State Representative Ted Graziani, Co-Chair, Select Committee on Veterans Affairs, State of Connecticut General Assembly and Joe Tereso, Association of Civilian Technicians.

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