Moline, Illinois - Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) today presented constituent Mark Graves of Aledo with the Combat Action Badge for his service with the United States Army Military Police in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"It is truly an honor to be presenting the Combat Action Badge to one of our area's distinguished war heroes," Schilling said.  "My deepest gratitude goes out to Mark for his service in safeguarding our nation and protecting our freedoms."

Graves entered Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at the United States Army Military Police School in July 1999.  After finishing training with the United States Army Military Police, he deployed to Iraq and served with the 64th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade from March 2003-2004.

During his time in Iraq serving as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Graves' Military Police unit was engaged in some of the most hazardous duty in Iraq, including convoy escorts, manning check-points frequently attacked by insurgents, town, and village patrols, road security to prevent improvised explosive devices from being planted, and the processing of prisoners of War.  His unit was frequently assigned to support various infantry units on operations throughout Iraq, from Baghdad to Tikrit, and was involved in at least seven combat engagements with anti-coalition forces.  During one engagement, Graves' High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, or Humvee) took a direct hit from a rocket-propelled grenade.

During Graves' service he was awarded the Joint Services Achievement Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; and the Overseas Service Ribbon.  The one award that eluded him was the Combat Action Badge, which is awarded to soldiers who personally engage or are engaged by the enemy.

Schilling's staff started on this case in early August, 2011 when Graves reached out upon receiving a mailer on services Schilling's staff provides.  After tracking down the necessary documentation, staff was able to meet the Army's Combat Action Badge requirements by early January, 2012.

"Constituent casework is the most important part of my job and we will continue to work tirelessly towards successful outcomes," Schilling said.  "I encourage anyone having issues navigating federal agencies to contact my offices - we're happy to help."

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Senator Chuck Grassley made the comment below about information released today by the U.S. Air Force regarding its fiscal year 2013 Total Force Manpower Force Structure, which includes authorized manpower numbers for Iowa, including the 132^nd Fighter Wing in Des Moines and the 185^th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City.

The Air Force document indicates a net reduction of 492 Air Guard positions in Des Moines due to recent recommendations to retire 21 F-16s in Des Moines.  The Air Force document also indicates a net increase of three Air Guard positions in Sioux City.

Senator Grassley's comment:

"Reversing this decision will take a concerted effort by National Guard advocates in Congress.  So far, the effort has been significant, and there will be an opportunity to determine a different outcome when annual legislation to authorize defense spending is considered later this year

"I'm a member of the National Guard Caucus in the Senate and plan to continue pressing for answers and a thorough review of what's best for taxpayers and national defense.  During a Budget Committee hearing last week, Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon and I both asked Defense Secretary Panetta to review these recommendations.  In addition, 49 governors, including Governor Branstad, have expressed opposition to the Guard cuts.

"Fiscal responsibility and stewardship dictate that the Air Force should use a cost-benefit analysis that looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the active and reserve forces.  It's not clear that such a process has been used, and the Air Force needs to account for its approach."

Rep. Bruce Braley's office sent the following:

Braley: Stopping Air Force Cuts to Des Moines Air National Guard is "Just Common Sense"

Washington, DC - March 6, 2012 - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement today after the US Air Force said it was recommending eliminating 492 positions at the Des Moines-based 132^nd Iowa Air National Guard Fighter Wing:

"Stopping the Air Force's misguided cuts to the Des Moines Air National Guard wing isn't a partisan issue, it's just common sense.  If the Air Force's goal is to reduce costs, downsizing the Iowa Air National Guard while more expensive units and less experienced pilots are preserved elsewhere just doesn't add up.

"The Pentagon's priorities are wrong, and I'll continue working alongside Iowa's elected leaders to stop this damaging plan in its tracks."

SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/27/2012)(readMedia)-- The white brick castle walls of the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield surround the rich history of the Illinois National Guard. The dark wood floor and dim lights bring people to a quiet serenity and the original artifacts propel life to history. Patrons frequently ask how the museum began, but the beginning of the story barely covers the long road that led to the castle museum we know today.

The Illinois State Military Museum has a place on the National Register of Historical Places after years of uncertainty and emptiness. The castle was built between the years of 1903 and 1909 by Col. James Culver, owner of the Culver Stone Company and commander of the Illinois National Guard's 5th Illinois Infantry Regiment. The museum was to serve as a commissary and/or a quartermaster building.

"The National Guard was issued considerable quantities of federal property, such as weapons and ammunition, and it was important that this property be safeguarded and stored in a location that would protect it," said Lt. Col. Mark K. Whitlock, Carbondale native. Whitlock is Joint Force Headquarters chief historian and former director of the Illinois State Military Museum, both in Springfield.

The museum sat for years as a storage facility for artifacts of American Civil War veterans piled up since 1878. The artifacts came from generous donations of veterans, their families and from within the Army system, said Whitlock. The Illinois State Military Museum's greatest collection is the collection of more than 1,000 flags, guidons and regimental colors that are primarily from the Civil War.

For years, the artifacts were safeguarded by retired Warrant Officer Charles "Charlie" Munie from Decatur, who also initiated historical displays and reminded people the state of Illinois has a great collection of artifacts that should be preserved and someday exhibited in a proper museum.

When Whitlock was hired as the director in 1995, he started to organize a 1920s wooden Civilian Conservation Corps barracks into a temporary museum with a yearly budget of roughly $16,000.

"The money did not go very far, but it was all we had for purchasing supplies and exhibit building materials necessary to get the museum up and running," said Whitlock.

The museum officially opened to the public in 2003 to become the note-worthy institution it is today. Whitlock said he took many steps to ensure it would be a success, such as developing a cooperative and productive relationship between the museum, and Illinois National Guard and Militia Historical Society, Inc. He pushed the leadership to hire additional staff and left it better than he found it.

"I think it is important that we give credit to the great Illinoisans who came before me and collected and documented the treasures that we are able to enjoy in the museum today," said Whitlock.

Whitlock's hard work to receive additional support eventually worked, because the director now has a curatorial staff including a museum curator, two assistant curators, an executive director and volunteers.

"The volunteers are invaluable," said retired Brig. Gen. Stewart Reeve of Pittsfield, director of the Illinois Military Museum. "They have a vast knowledge of different periods in Illinois history that they can relay in a clear fashion to visitors."

Reeve was appointed director Aug. 1, 2011. Since then he has made the museum more current by highlighting exhibits for black history month and women's history month, hosting events for the public, and changing the exhibits often for people who visit regularly.

Recently, Reeve planned exhibits that emphasize the parts of history he feels are sadly forgotten and sometimes not even recognized by National Guard Soldiers, such as the State Partnership Program, peacekeeping missions and Eastern Europe. He said he feels the most important purpose of the museum is to tell the story of how the Illinois National Guard has contributed to supporting and protecting Illinois citizens and U.S. citizens nationwide, which are not limited to combat operations.

"On some level, I don't think the National Guard understands what Illinois troops have done," said Reeve. "I don't think there's the institutional knowledge of what we've done and that's one of the things I think the museum can help with the most."

Whitlock and Reeve agreed the artifacts can leave someone with a deep understanding of what the service members of the past went through. Reeve said his favorite exhibit is the World War II area in the museum because one sees the way the service members lived, worked, and died. One will walk out with a deeper appreciation for what service members did.

"My favorite artifact is the damaged up-armored windshield from a humvee that is attributed with saving the lives of the Soldiers seated behind it," said Whitlock. "The connection between an inanimate object and lives that were spared because of it, always gave me goose bumps to talk about with visitors."

For more information on the Illinois State Military Museum call Reeve at 217-761-3384. For more information on the Illinois Militia Historical Society, Inc., contact Larry Johnson 217-761-3645 or ljohnson@ilng-history.org.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

WASHINGTON -- Senator Chuck Grassley says a new report makes clear that there's a lot of work yet to do for military whistleblowers who speak up on behalf of rank-and-file troops, national security and fiscal responsibility.

"While the situation is improving, there's a long way to go in making it work as it should for those who step up and speak out about wrongdoing and problems.  Reprisal against military whistleblowers is alive and well in the Pentagon, unfortunately, so oversight efforts must continue full force," Grassley said.

In a report released this week (click here to see the report), the Government Accountability Office said that until the Inspector General for the Defense Department implements certain oversight mechanisms, it can't know that "it is effectively conducting its oversight responsibilities or implementing the whistleblower reprisal program as intended."

Grassley said he requested this report from the Government Accountability Office to see how problems he identified previously with whistleblower reprisal investigations are being addressed.  "Several years ago, I did an in-depth review of how the Inspector General handled military whistleblower cases.  The lack of oversight was appalling.  The Inspector General was asking zero questions about the reprisal investigations being conducted by Inspectors General for the services, even though scrutiny was desperately needed," Grassley said.

Grassley's earlier review looked at an egregious case in depth, that of Navy Lieutenant Jason Hudson.  The Inspector General for the Justice Department subsequently did a peer review and confirmed many of Grassley's findings.

Grassley said this worked helped to build a case for legislation that directed the Defense Department Inspector General to correct deficiencies.  It was passed in 2009, as part of the annual defense authorization bill.

"Whistleblowers are in a position to identify fraud that may otherwise go undetected, and courageous whistleblowers who stick out their necks and speak up about mismanagement and abuse help keep government accountable.  Our system is better off thanks to whistleblowers," Grassley said.

Grassley has a long record of advocacy for individual whistleblowers, legislative reforms to protect and empower whistleblowers both in and out of government, and oversight of whistleblower protections.  His efforts began more than 20 years ago with questions raised by whistleblowers about Defense Department spending.

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