Does anyone else find it ridiculous that Service men are being forced to serve for more than 4 yrs?

Question

Ok, for those of us who are former service members you remember the speech about..."Well IRR (inactive ready reserve) is only if WWIII breaks out" VIETNAM VETS HAD ONE YEAR IN VIETNAM (in most cases if you are one of the rare ones who volunteered for two or three OOH-Rah to you, but I have done 2 in Iraq and I aint going back for a third) A lot of us have started jobs college and other things. The benefits are not worth 8 years when the rest of country is not doing their part and the military is desperate enough to tap unwilling soldiers and marines to do a job that most of us don't understand anymore...This is more venting than anything.... All I know is I have a little boy about to be born and they are talking about recalling those in my MOS because the recruiters can't get anyone else!!! GI BILL IS NOT WORTH 8 YEARS AND POSSIBLY YOUR ABILITY TO WALK!!! If I offended anyone I am sorry, but this is appauling and noone except for vets are noticing

Answer 1

As much as I'm against the war, this really isn't something new. The problem is that no one has yet to test the legality of the policy (guess what, it isn't)

There was a similar issue that faced Abraham Lincoln in 1861 when The 1st Minnesota Regiment filed suit against the state of Minnesota in 1861, demanding release from their service obligations since the government had failed in its responsibility of providing them with competent leadership. The Supreme Court did not comment on their objections to their officers while rejecting their request ruling that the enlistment term was a contract that neither side had the right to break. The government thus had the power to coerce a man to serve the full term of his enlistment -- but could not force him to serve another day past its end.

The Lincoln administration defied the Supreme Court on some issues but chose to respect the court's verdict in this case. Instead, the government launched a big campaign to encourage soldiers to re-enlist. The key components to the incentive package were a month-long furlough and a bonus equivalent to over two years pay for a laborer.

The re-enlistment campaign was successful in getting over half of the soldiers to sign on for three more years. By the spring of 1864, 136,000 of the three-year veterans re-enlisted and 100,000 mustered out. The Union army was successful in its 1864 campaigns thanks to the men who re-enlisted and those who mustered out but continued to fight every day until the end of their term of service.

The Bush administration's Iraq policy resembles how the Confederacy resolved a similar manpower crisis by retroactively making all enlistments last for the duration of the war.

As I would expect from the current U.S. Supreme Court, the Confederacy's Supreme Court upheld the action so that the South legally retained all of its soldiers. Anticipating the double-speak of the current situation, the Confederate Army launched a re-enlistment campaign to motivate soldiers to sign on for an extended term but it was recognized by the soldiers as a sham -- one's tour of duty would be extended regardless.

The ensuing drop in morale and increase in desertions greatly hampered its armies' combat effectiveness. It led to a rapid deterioration in the military fortunes of the South.

The Bush administration needs to choose to treat its soldiers fairly and with respect for their rights. Lincoln performed an act of great political courage in giving the Union soldiers the choice of re-enlisting or returning to their homes and families.

Answer 2

I totally agree. I was Motor-T in the Marines and now i am just waiting for the recall. It is very stressful not knowing if or when the call will come down. I really supported Bush but this is the last straw. It is getting totally out of control. If you have done your time than you have done your time. What more do they want from us? I mean i dont even know what the main mission is over there anymore. Iraq had there elections, Sadaam is in custody, and Iraq is not a threat to our freedom. This is getting crazy.

Answer 3

U.S. military is 4 years on 4 year reserve. When they are in the reserves they are just getting a call up. It's not like they truly left the military and came back.

The draft was different since you didn't need call backs, because fresh meat was on its way at all times.

In a country that was fighting during a recession and going back into a recession, they are lucky to get back jobs. If they really wanted a hazardous job, they should be Alaskan crabmen, taxi cab drivers or night clerks, all of which easily are more dangeous than being a modern soldier.

Answer 4

When you signed on the dotted line & took the oath, You knew The Irr was in the fine print. It's not ridiculus at all. These are trained skiled people already. Recruits take longer to train. When I joined all I asked for in return was A pay check evry two weeks & a spot in Arlington. THAT is the JOB. it's not shining boots in Ft. Knox or surfing in Hawaii. After 4 years of training, exerscises and such it's gametime. Many in Korea felt the same way. My Grandfather made it through WW2 And stayed to be sent to The Pusan Perimeter. He earned his spot. You don't join for benefits. You join to be a warrior.

Answer 5

I am also a Vet. I was in the IRR during the first gulf war and was put on alert by my recruiter. I was never called up but the stress was there. There were already 500,000 military personnel in theater then! "Hats off" and "thank you" for your service. You should not have to go back, it is ridiculous. Whose bright idea was it to cut the size of our military in the first place? During Desert Storm, we were capable of fighting a 2 front war in terms of size. Now we're tapping into the IRR with only 130,000 troops in theater? It's f*cking ridiculous!

Answer 6

you signed a contract requiring your availability for up to 8 years. end of subject, If you served 4 years active, you had the option of continuing on Active, going Reserves, or going IRR. Youmade a choice, KNOWING that however remote the possibility, that the military had the right to recall you back for up to a total of eight years initial service.

Answer 7

They all signed up for a possible 8 years. My son explained his sign up papers in detail - 4 years or up to 8 years if needed.
He is a commissioned officer & plans to stay for stars but knew from the beginning that it could be 8 where he liked it or not.

Answer 8

Others are noticing, believe me. They call us 'pesky liberals' and other not so nice terms, but a lot of conservatives (and sadly, a lot of vets) just call us 'anti-American' or 'un-patriotic' because we don't blindly follow every order from the president.

The government is trying to get the forces they need knowing that there is not enough support for them to institute a draft.

I'm glad you see it's not working. They are disrespectful to vets and sometimes there is a delay in the healthcare benefits to those serving and their families...it's ridiculous. Soldiers should get the #1 healthcare available, but it doesn't always work that way.

Answer 9

Ridiculous is a kind understated word. I prefer to use the words horrible, atrocious and disgusting. That's what happens when you go to war. Does George Bush or any members of congress have family serving in the war? NO

I actually feel sorry for the innocent young men who actually believe they are going over their to lose their life for a NOBLE CAUSE.

How long has it been since George W stood on the deck of that battle ship and declared "mission accomplished"?

Answer 10

I think its wrong for making men and woman serve for more than 4 years. Its only because our government has put us in a situation that it has come to this. They are terrified to announce a draft. But in reality its what theyre doing by making these men and woman stay on, stay past their rotation dates, raising te recruitment age, placed from one place to another to cover our asses because of politics here in the US. I support and respect our troops but not the ones giving the orders.