Army Reserve / Nat'l Guard deploying again - your thoughts?

Question

For those in the Reserve / Nat'l Guard, what are your thoughts about deploying again? Typically the deployments last a year plus moblization time - 16-18 months average. The policy up until now was a 24 month 'cumulative' cap, but it sounds like this may be changed to a 24 'consecutive' cap. Do you think this is going to create problems for the citizen soldiers with employment, morale, etc. Are you going to attempt a fight (speak out, congressional) if you are called again? Thoughts?

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2645514

Just to clarify; I'm not whining about it - if called again I will go. I have just seen what a huge impact it has had on OTHER peoples lives and want to know their thoughts on this.

Answer 1

Interesting question. I have been monitoring this news pretty close since it has such a huge impact. I just returned from a 16 month deployment - and already there is talk about going back again. I guess if I wanted to spend this much time active I would have enlisted active. Of course it will have a huge impact on employment - and everything else for that matter. I think it is a form of backdoor draft. Most of the part time Soldies out there never intended to make a full-time commitment to this. We deployed once, did our job, and stood up to our commitment.

To answer your question though, yes I would attempt to fight this - right down to the wording of the US Code. I would tend to stir waves - get a legal interpretation of the Presidential Order and constitutional rights. In my opinion it is clearly abusive.

Answer 2

I worry about the ages of the guys and women in the deployed units. When I was in the Army Reserve, there were a bunch of guys like me - E-4 and E-5 who were in our 30's or early 40's. We did a good job on the weekends and at camp, but that's getting pretty old to be on the sharp end. And an E-4 or E-5 will be on the sharp end.
War is a young person's fight on the ground. I worry about a 40 year old guy with a couple of kids, maybe 1 in the local community college, a mortgage, a job that's not paying him 50K a year anymore...And you sure as hell aren't in the shape of a 20 year old.
You know and I know when you join the Reserves, you gotta look at the BIG print. You're in the military. But the ages and readiness issues bother me. I hope those folks come home safe and sound to their families.
And these long, dangerous deployments are a big problem with this damn war.

Answer 3

A "Problem?" No, this is opportunity. Wasn't it everybody's favorite Democrat who said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."? It reads as though you want it both ways. Well, there is a price to be paid. Even George Washington was a "Citizen Soldier." Part of the reason he achieved such memorable greatness is that he didn't complain. You have confused your own wants with needs -- in this case, the needs of the nation -- even if you disagree with party politics. When you donned the uniform, raised your right hand and swore an oath, you agreed to put the nation's needs above your own. This is called "Duty." Do you suppose it is any easier for those who serve this contry "Full time?" My suggestion is, stop giving those who DO serve full time more ammunition for hating you, stop your whining, be a little more professional and do your duty. You ARE after all, a volunteer and your are getting paid -- even though it's a laughable and pathetic amount by any civilian standard.

Answer 4

I signed the papers, even read the fine print , raised my hand and swore an oath . I stand ready to deploy , engage and destroy , the enemies of the United States of America . It may suck , but I grew up with the belief that you should do what you say your going to do , I said I'd be a soldier , so thats what I'll do .

Answer 5

The fact of the matter is that the military has been up front about the timing for deployments.

When Guard/Reserve soldiers return they are placed on stabilization - and told the date when that stabilization runs out.

It is up to them to decide if they want to re-enlist.

You ought to be proud that they are willing to accept multiple tours.

Answer 6

It definitely is a back door draft. But they signed , up now it's time to put up. A lot of them N.G.s signed up for the extra money and education benefits never thinking they would have to do anything to earn it. I know people who have done it. So quit whining and ruck up! One N.G. I know had a job that laid him off every winter, so he volenteered to go active every winter. He always got it. He was a Warrent officer over the mess hall. What a great gig. His active duty pay was pretty good. During Desert Storm he went to Jamaca, what a gig. So you volentered, now it's time to live up to your part of the bargain.