Sen. Hoeven details North Dakota Guardsmen, Reservists initiatives

Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) recently met with North Dakota National Guard and North Dakota State University (NDSU) Air Force and Army ROTC personnel to outline missions and benefits strengthening efforts.

Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, provided specifics on securing a new operations facility for the 119th Wing’s MQ-9 mission, enabling Guardsmen and Reservists to concurrently use the GI Bill and Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) programs to fund their education, and extending TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) eligibility to all Guardsmen and Reservists.

“The 119th Wing’s Reaper mission supports military operations around the globe, and we’re working with the National Guard Bureau to get them a new facility that can meet the demands of their expanded capabilities,” Hoeven said. “This unit is a prime example of how our Guardsmen and Reservists are an essential component of our armed forces.”

Hoeven said lawmakers need to ensure Guardsmen and Reservists have access to the same health and education benefits as active duty personnel.

Hoeven is working with North Dakota National Guard leadership and the National Guard Bureau to secure the new facility and fund its construction, noting delaying the effort would result in the wing standing down MQ-9 operations until the building is completed.

Hoeven joined Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) in introducing the TRICARE Reserve Improvement Act, which officials said is designed to extend TRS eligibility to all Guardsmen and Reservists, including those who are currently ineligible because they are also federal employees who can enroll in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan (FEHB) Program.