Robbins Gains Assurance From PA National Guard
Leader That Troops Will Receive Needed Equipment
Senate confirms new Adjutant General
Harrisburg – The state Senate unanimously confirmed the nomination
of Pennsylvania's new Adjutant General, following a hearing in which
Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) sought assurances that guard members in
combat zones are properly equipped.
The Senate action Tuesday makes Brigadier General Jessica L. Wright
the first woman to serve as Pennsylvania's top military officer and
commander of the state Army National Guard and Air National Guard. She
previously served more than three years as the Deputy Adjutant General
for Army.
"General Wright is extremely qualified to lead the Pennsylvania
National Guard during these challenging times," said Robbins.
"Throughout nearly 30 years of military service she has dedicated
herself to the Commonwealth and the nation."
Prior to the Senate vote, Gen. Wright's nomination was the subject
of a public hearing held by the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency
Preparedness Committee. Robbins, a Vietnam War Veteran and member of
the committee, asked Gen. Wright about concerns voiced by families of
guard members regarding equipment.
"I'm concerned about the families. They're hearing rumors out there
that the guard units are not as equipped as active duty units as they
go into Iraq and Afghanistan and other areas," said Robbins. "It's
important that families know."
Gen. Wright said she went to Iraq recently and was assured guard
units in the field were equipped. She told the senator that some
confusion may be due to the fact that guard members do not receive all
of their equipment when they are training in Fort Dix, New Jersey.
"When they leave there and go to Kuwait for deployment to Iraq,
that is when they'll receive their force protection equipment," said
Gen. Wright, adding that the guard is picking up the pace of its
equipment procurement process.
The Senator also asked the General whether the guard's family
support services were adequate. Gen. Wright said eight family support
centers across the Commonwealth ensure that family concerns are heard.
General Wright responded by indicating that every individual that
joins the Pennsylvania National Guard becomes a member of the Guard
family. "We want soldiers to come back and we want the soldiers to
stay," said Wright. The General indicated that support services to
families will remain a major priority during this time of deployment.
The Senator noted that he will continue to work with the guard to
improve the retention of members and seek passage of his bill to
preserve full funding of Pennsylvania's National Guard Educational
Assistance Program.
Robbins said that since the successful program was launched through
his efforts in 1996, guard members have been provided an opportunity
to receive tuition assistance at a state facility of higher education
for up to five years in exchange for six years of service.
CONTACT: Mike Hengst (717) 787-1322
