FL H0505

Urges Congress to direct the United States National Guard Bureau to examine resource allocations for the Florida National Guard and increase its force structure.

Florida has approximately 21 million residents (third most populous state) but maintains only 12,000 Guardsmen, ranking 53rd among 54 states and territories with a ratio of one Guardsman per 1,833 residents.

The Florida National Guard expended the same number of workdays in 18 months during 2020-2021 (due to COVID-19 response, natural disasters, and overseas deployments) as it had in the previous 20 years.

Insufficient force structure has resulted in repeated deployment of the same soldiers, causing excessive fatigue and negatively impacting recruitment, retention, and readiness.

Directs copies of the memorial to be sent to the President, congressional leadership, and all members of the Florida congressional delegation.