Not active, but training?

Question

I have a question that's bothering me. My brother's in the national guard, and I "overheard" him on the phone talking about next month he'll be training to go to Iraq. But I don't get how that's possible because he's not active! He also never signed up for it, is that just something that everyone's doing right now because of what's going on? Or can people be forced to go even if there not active? I would ask him but then he'd know I was eavesdropping. And I thought they weren't even suppost to send out any more of our national guard (tx) before a certain year, like 2010 or something.

Answer 1

Hey, being sent to Iraq or Afghanistan isn't a death sentence ok? i am sick of the media making it out to seem that way....ok here are the facts, any enlistment in to the US military is a 8 (that’s right, eight) year enlistment, you either spent it all active, or inactive reserve or national guard or some combination of that...you can get sent anywhere, anytime during that 8 years, AND if the military feels it is justified they can keep you longer...that’s it, BUT, when he gets back he will be entitled to a great deal of well deserved veterans benefits...so let all of those hippies keep screaming for peace, their tax dollars are sending me and many of my veteran friends to school AND paying all other expenses...i just bought a new jeep to go along nicely with my Camaro and new apartment and officially i only made about 350 bucks last year...all of this is thanks to being a veteran...so keep screaming for peace all of you hippies and democrats, the smaller the army, the more money each individual veteran gets...i am looking at going to medical school soon, after my next deployment...THANKS:)...but on a more serious note directed to your question...we are probably going to always be in Iraq, kind of like the way Germany unfolded after WW2 and Korea turned out...eventually it will just be another mundane posting for service men, but for now it is a war that the politicians are making the military fight with one hand behind their back...i wish the best for your brother, its not near as bad as the news makes it out to be, and he can be sent anywhere at anytime the military wants...take care and God bless you and your family

Answer 2

I understand your worry. I want to thank your brother for joining the National Guard, the worry and things a family of someone in the military goes through activated or not is difficult and harder than many people understand.

When your in the National Guard you can be activated at any time. My brother in law spent 18 months in Iraq and believe me he didn't sign up to go to Iraq, but when you join the guard that is part of what you are signing up for. Even people who get out of the military can be called up again up to 2 years after getting out.

There are never any rules about who can or can't be called up. Don't ever take for granted of what 'they' say or what is suppossed to happen. Mission changes can change it all in a matter or moments, that is just the way the military is.

I understand your worried about your brother, training doesn't mean they will go for sure, but it's a worry because of the current situation. As a disabled veteran I understand your worries are well founded, it was very hard for my younger sisters who were in grade school when I went to the gulf. Things that are beyond our control make us angry and scare us.

You can talk to your brother without telling him you were listening in and I think it's a good idea. He will know you care and at least you can know more about what is going on with him (keep in mind things are never set in stone with the military though, what he knows today may change tomorrow)

So tell him with the news and the troops that are getting called up your worried about him, you want to know if he knows if he's going to be activated. Tell him you want to know if things change, ask him to be honest with you on anything he can tell you about what he is hearing and what is going on.

He will be more likely to keep you in the loop, plus he will know you care and in these trying times it's important to let him know how special he is to you.

I wish your family all the best.

Answer 3

You haven't been paying much attention to the news, have you?

The NG and USAR (Reserves) have been in Iraq and Afganistan since it started. Perhaps his unit may not have been due for a rotation until 2010, but I find that highly unlikely.

As far as "training to go to Iraq", that is standard. That is one of the current operations where our boys and girls are being shot at. They need to be trained by those that have been there, so that they have a better chance of surviving. Most of the training is reacting to enemy fire, how to spot an IED, communications, target practice, etc. He needs to be trained in these skills so that he can come home.

Answer 4

reserve can go to iraq also but they generally send active duty first. national guard may do things differnt. if he is told he is going over seas there isnt a whole lot he can do about it. as far as when they stop sending National Guard sorry havent heard. Good luck

Answer 5

Your brother signed a contract; they can take him where they please. He might have to go....but that isn't what's important. You have a screwed up relationship with your brother. You'd rather seek the advice of strangers than talk to the man personally? I'm sure he wants to talk about it. I'm in the Navy, and I'd want to talk about it with my close family members if I was going into a war zone. Alot of the world's problems can be solved by an open line of communication; yours is no different. Best of luck to you and yours.

Answer 6

In this day and age if you're in any sort of military service you've signed up to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan. It just depends on your job, unit, etc. You go when and where you're needed.

Answer 7

They can activate you when ever they want and you don't get to choose what you sign up for, they put you where ever they want you. I hope your brother gets trained well and comes back safe.

Answer 8

If your signed up regardless whether your NG or reservist or active if their unit is called to duty then yes they go.

Answer 9

Im sorry I really am but where do you think those 25,000 troops are going to come from, I will pray for you and your family God Bless

Answer 10

LOL......LOL......IRAQ...his new address