The Nation's defense posture was a matter of considerable
public interest during the period of Governor Tawes' second
term. Changing military needs, prompted in part by an in-
creased commitment in Southeast Asia, resulted in a reorgan-
ization of the Maryland National Guard. It was during this
period, too, that Lieutenant General Milton A. Reckord re-
tired as the State's Adjutant General, a position to which he
had been appointed in 1920. The addresses which follow re-
flect a wide range of interests in military affairs, from the
education of military personnel to the remembrance of past
sacrifices made in defense of the nation and its ideals.

STATEMENT OF NATIONAL GUARD
REORGANIZATION

ANNAPOLIS
October 13, 1965

The extraordinary demands of national defense at this time are
resulting in increased demands upon our State's National Guard.

Following a meeting of National Guard leaders in Washington yester-
day, Lieutenant General Milton A. Reckord, Adjutant General, advised
me that all of our units in the State of Maryland will be affected
in one way or another. Maryland is requested to furnish a war strength
brigade. This will require the brigade unit to be maintained at an
increased strength. At the same time other National Guard units in
Maryland will be reduced in strength in order to compensate for the
greater strength given the war brigade.

The additional measures for national defense cannot be accom-
plished without cost. The heaviest burden will fall upon the officers
and men of the National Guard who will be in the war strength
brigade, as these will have a 50 per cent increase in training time. At
the same time our units that are not in this selected force must also
maintain proper standards of readiness. In short, the entire Mary-
land National Guard faces one of the most demanding periods in its
history. We can be confident that these fine units, with their long
tradition of service in peace and war, will perform their duty. We, their
fellow citizens, must support them in every way possible. It is right

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