The Nome Nugget

1st Scout Battalion, ANG, Authorized
To Bring Its Strength to 561 Members

Senator Bob Bartlett, disclosing last week that the Senate Preparedness Subcommittee staff has completed its investigation of the Alaska Army Reserve and National Guard programs, called the subcommittee's report "a helpful pinpointing of problem areas, eliminating some of our fears and revealing where special efforts remain to be made in the interests of national defense." The subcommittee, of which Sen. Bartlett is a member, launched its investigation following a request from Bartlett and his Alaska colleague, Sen. Ernest Gruening.

Referring to items in the subcommittee report that "are on the bright side," Sen. Bartlett noted that National Guard personnel at Anchorage, Aniak, Barrow, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kotzebue, Nome, Seward, Sitka and Unalakleet will continue to participate in weekly drills on a pay status. "Not only will these members of the Guard be unaffected by reorganization of the Army, but openings in the Guard exist now for 424 new recruits or members," Sen. Bartlett observed.

According to the subcommittee staff report, two Guard units, one at Palmer and one at Homer, have been deactivated. "Enlargement of the reserve program at Palmer to 36 authorized participants will enable the transfer of Guard personnel into reserve activities at Palmer to continue their military training in paid status," Sen. Bartlett said. He stated that the Army had assured him it would make "every effort" to facilitate transfers between the National Guard and the Reserve. "Moreover, efforts to bring about the reactivation of the Palmer Guard unit are continuing, and military interest in such a possibility appears substantial."

Further facts uncovered by the subcommittee are as follows:

Formerly there were 12 units authorized in Alaska. This will be reduced to 7 units under the reorganization. However, under the reorganization the 7 units will have an authorized strength of 1,806 personnel. At the present time the actual personnel strength is 1,382. Thus, there are 524 vacancies in the Alaska Army National Guard. Authorized strengths are for 48 pay drill status, meaning they receive compensation for their participation in training.

Accordingly the reorganization in Alaska will essentially be in name only. No retraining problems will be involved according to General McGowan.

The Army Alaska National Guard will have the 3rd Battle Group in Alaska. It will be composed of the 297th Infantry Division and two Battalions. The 297th Infantry Division will have units located at Anchorage, Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Kodiak, Fairbanks and Seward. The new authorized strength is 819 members. At the present time there are 468 participants in these cities, leaving openings for 351 additional members.

The 1st Scout Battalion of the 297th Infantry Division with headquarters at Nome has units in Nome, Unalakleet, Kotzebue and Barrow, with a new authorized strength of 561 members. At the present time there are 515 members participating, leaving openings for 46 people.