After another powerful hurricane hit the state, members of Florida’s congressional delegation say the need for more National Guardsmen in Florida is clearer than ever. Sen. Ashley Moody and Rep. Vern Buchanan led a bicameral letter to War Secretary Pete Hegseth urging a full review of the Florida National Guard’s authorized force structure and total allocation of troops, noting the state’s contingent “carries one of the heaviest operational burdens in the nation with one of the smallest per-capita allocations.” 
Hurricane Isaias leaves its mark on Pensacola Beach, renewing calls for more National Guard troops. Image via The New York Times. “In the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias, we saw once again just how critical the Florida National Guard is to keep our communities safe — but while Florida’s population has grown in recent years, the size of our National Guard has not kept pace,” said Moody, a Plant City Republican. “That’s why I’m leading an effort to increase the number of Guardsmen allocated to our state. Florida’s National Guard is always there when we need them. We need to make sure they have the personnel and resources to continue answering the call.” An inequitable spread of Guardsmen positions has long been a complaint of Florida officials from both sides of the aisle. About 5,000 members of the Florida National Guard were activated to respond after Hurricane Isaias made landfall in Destin last week, out of a total allotment of around 12,000. An Adjutant General told the Florida Legislature in 2021 that Florida’s population should have 20,000. Buchanan, the Republican co-chair of the delegation, said a reallotment is overdue, pointing to estimates that put Florida’s per-capita allotment 53rd out of 54 states and territories. That’s despite the state's greater need as a disaster-exposed state. “Floridians have seen time and time again the importance of our National Guard in stepping up for our families and communities,” said Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican. “As an Air National Guard veteran, I have witnessed firsthand how our Guardsmen answer the call every time disaster strikes, but Florida’s Guard has not grown to keep pace with our growing population. They deserve the personnel and resources to match the mission, and I urge the Department of War to give Florida the force structure it needs to continue keeping our communities safe. Reps. Aaron Bean, Gus Bilirakis, Mario Diaz-Balart, Neal Dunn, Randy Fine, Scott Franklin, Carlos Giménez, Mike Haridopolos, Laurel Lee, Cory Mills, Jimmy Patronis and John Rutherford, all Republicans, also signed onto the letter. “Florida’s strategic value to the Department of War is unmatched. It plays a critical role in allowing the Joint Force to achieve the administration’s goals set forth in the National Defense Strategy,” the letter reads. “This is especially true when it comes to homeland defense and ensuring American dominance across the Western Hemisphere. As such, Florida’s impact on executing the objectives of the administration’s priorities is both real and tangible.” Plus, lawmakers said it would not be a challenge to fill positions in Florida given the chance. “Florida also offers the Department something that cannot be found in many other states: a deep, willing recruiting base and a demonstrated propensity to serve,” the letter states. “State military leadership has publicly stated that Florida draws from a recruitable population larger than that of twenty-eight states and can fill the ranks if given the authorization.” |
