Along with choosing leaders for a variety of local and national political offices, voters will decide on a number of amendments next Tuesday. One of those, Amendment 5, would make the Missouri National Guard its own department.
Nick Humphrey, a member of the National Guard association, explained what that change would mean for Missouri. He told KMOX that the National Guard used to be its own department, then was placed under the Department of Public Safety in 1974.
"The guard at that time was a reserve force that was rarely if ever activated. But fast forward to 9/11, and our world changed and so did the National Guards of our nation," Humphrey said. "And the Missouri National Guard has been deployed every single day, somewhere in the world since 9/11, including today."
He pointed out that Missouri and Massachusetts are the only two states in the nation that have not made the change to make their National Guards their own departments.
He added that it's important for the National Guard to have a direct line of communication with the Governor to share confidential military information.
"And in addition to that, when the guard responds to state emergencies, they'll be able to respond much quicker and much faster when there's that direct line of communication with the governor," he said.
Some Missouri Democrats have come out against the amendment, saying it would create a problem with the chain of command. Humphrey dismissed those concerns and said that if anything, it makes the chain of command more clear.
Hear Nick Humphrey's full interview on KMOX to learn more about Amendment 5:
Copyright 2022 KMOX (Audacy). All Rights Reserved.
Follow KMOX | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Listen on the free Audacy app.
Tell your smart speaker to play K M O X.
