Is Bush a draft dodger for not going to Vietnam and hiding in the national guard?

Question

Isn't that still military service?

Answer 1

Ok to jump to the pt of your question = yes he is a draft dodger. You logic is missing an explanation of the premise.

Go back to the original pt... he joined the National Guard during the Vietnam War. You have to understand that he did this with his family's influence. Why? He did this in order to avoid war action because the National Guard, as you stated, does not server overseas.

That is indirect but purposeful draft dodging. If he had not had to use family to get him in the National Guard, it might persuade your argument.

Answer 2

I think that the previous answers are correct on the essence of the situation. Public sentiment in the US against the Vietnam War was much greater than public sentiment against the Middle East Conflicts. This was due to many factors, not the least of which was the existance of a military draft at the time of the Vietnam War. During Vietnam, draft evasion was very, very common. Some avoided military service by staying in college, some emigrated to Canada and some fullfilled military obligation by joining their state's National Guard. The National Guard trains within the regular military, but the men and women return to civilian life after training. They typically are on military duty one weekend in four during the year and for two weeks in the summer. This military service is distinct from the military Reserve. The National Guard is generally under the command of the state governor. But the regular military may "call them up" for duty at any time. Unlike with the Middle East Conflicts, the National Guard was seldom called to active duty during Vietnam. George W Bush enlisted in the Texas Air National Guard where he became a fighter pilot, flying the F-102. Yes, it was certainly true that knowing a Guard insider was a big help. His Guard record appears somewhat checkered and he was rumored to be drinking heavily. Due to the well-known regulation that aviators must have an annual physical exam, his non-compliance is probably quite telling. His father, George H W Bush, served with distinction during WWII as a Naval Aviator flying torpedo bombers off aircraft carriers in action against the Japanese. Mr Bush, Sr was a combat veteran who could have escaped this duty, but chose not to. Current President Bush's enlistment in the National Guard during Vietnam probably had less to do with cowardice and more to do with substance abuse. Unfortunately, a even a reformed drunk/druggie carries brain damage from his or her excesses for the rest of his or her life.

Answer 3

I admit it. I joined the National Guard to avoid service.........

2 tours later I am still "dodging" service. Can you please forgive me???????? I should be banished to Oxford and forced to marry Hillary.

Beachbum, did you read that. 2 tours. National Guard does not serve oversees?????????

On May 13, 1968, 12234 Army National Guardsmen in 20 units from 17 states were mobilized for service during the Vietnam War. Eight units deployed to Vietnam and over 7,000 Army Guardsmen served in the war zone. Drop the hatred and at least try to base your opinions on facts.

Answer 4

I would think that all the National Guard personnel in Iraq would tend to view the National Guard as military service. But remember, the Neo-Libs don't know anything about the military, so that act as if the National Guard is the same as the Brownies or Cub Scouts.

Oh and there is actually a letter to his C.O. asking to be sent over, but since his unit wasn't going, his C.O. said no. As for not doing much, the F-102 was developed to intercept Soviet bombers and ICBMs - it wasn't such a great combat fighter, to fast to dogfight, you would only get one pass and by the time you would turn around, the enemy would be gone.

Answer 5

From The Official Website of the Air National Guard:

"Vietnam revealed a negative aspect of relying on reservists. For largely domestic political reasons, President Johnson chose not to mobilize most of the nation's reserve forces. The 1968 callups were only token affairs."

"The Reserves and the Guard acquired reputations as draft havens for relatively affluent young white men."

http://www.ang.af.mil/history/Forging.asp

And from Colin Powell:

"I am angry that so many of the sons of the powerful and well-placed... managed to wangle slots in Reserve and National Guard units...Of the many tragedies of Vietnam, this raw class discrimination strikes me as the most damaging to the ideal that all Americans are created equal and owe equal allegiance to their country."

--Colin Powells autobiography, My American Journey, p. 148

Answer 6

My brother has been in the Guard for almost 20 years, and he is waiting to hear if he has to go to Iraq. It absolutely PISSES ME OFF that the left howls with outrage over Bush's Guard service, but Clinton dodging the draft was just ducky.

The men and women of the Guard deserve respect, too, damn it!

Answer 7

Bush served as an F-102 Interceptor pilot in the NG. Many F102 NG pilots were sent into combat in Vietnam. Unlike Clinton (who fled to England to avoid the draft), Bush actually served.

The F-102 was phased out of the Vietnam conflict (too fast for ground support) before Bush's squadron was sent over.

Answer 8

Bush escaped doing his duty in the guard due to his family interests. It is my opinion that he is NO better than those who ran away from the draft and their duty to our Nation. Daddy bought his way into the reserves and Jr. couldn't even fulfill that obligation.

Answer 9

he is not a draft-dodger because if he is he will be in jail instead of being in the white house!

Answer 10

All in all I would say yes. It seems less honorable to me to receive special treatment as he did than to just out and out refuse to go. Yep, it's technically military service, but even Bush himself knew better than to tout his "service" when he was running. He didn't want anyone to look TOO closely at it, though of course they did anyway.