How many tours of duty is too many or enough of a obligation for our reservists 3-4-5-10?

Question

There's a young man named Eric Botta who is being called for his 5th tour of combat duty.

http://www.miamiherald.com/569/story/163895.html

Has he fulfilled his obligation in your opinion?

Answer 1

Isn't that what they're paid to do? No one forced him to enlist?

Answer 2

There are a couple of ridiculous things associated with that story. Fist and foremost is that a "reservist" is getting set to serve his fifth tour of combat duty in the same war. Secondly is that it is ridiculous that "reserves" are fighting in Iraq. One would logically think that it would be the reserves that would stay home and protect this country in time of war. And third is the amount of psychological damage that is being done to these young troops. Especially those that are sent back: again, and again, and again , and again.

And you have to love those people (sarcasm) that say, "isn't that what he is getting paid to do - no one forced him to enlist".... blah, blah, blah..... I'll bet not one of the recruiters for "reservists" ever said, "yea, you might have to do 5 tours of combat duty, but that is what you will be getting paid to do"

Answer 3

Yes, 5 is far too many.. I don't care what the rest of these dipshidz on here say.. There are plenty of reservist and guard members who have not had to go once.. The point is, that the soldiers with the most tours are supposed to be the least likely to go back.. He's getting screwed and half these fools on here or in the govt could care less.. Straight heartless azzez!!

Answer 4

Vietnam War/President John F. Kennedy increased America's troop numbers from 500 to 16,000. Large numbers of combat troops were also dispatched by President Lyndon Johnson beginning in 1965. The last American troops were pulled out of the country on April 30, 1975 by what many consider a bad president.....Richard Nixon.....my hero....so it looks like 15 years, but just to be sure ask a democrat for that answer.

edit:The lesson here is that this question surely was asked once before, the only difference is those soldiers had no choices....no sarcasms intended just fact, your question is valid and deserves an answer, but I see no true answer for it.....

Answer 5

I answer your question with a question. How many soldiers in the spec ops have been over there and back in the double digits. Rangers, Delta, Special Forces, Seals etc... who have been in and out of country 10, 11 12 times. How many times is too many for them? No amount of times is too many. How many times should a police officer be shot at before he gets a desk job? How many burning buildings should a fireman go into before he doesn't have to answer the alarms anymore? How many 911 calls does an emt have to lose a patient in before he can choose to only take the live ones? How many children should a social work see abused before he/she can take only the newborns who are not addicted at birth and get adopted easy? It goes with the job.... He knew, he signed a contract and he should go.

Answer 6

It would appear that Eric will have as many tours of duty as Dick Cheney had deferments from duty.

It should be amazing to witness how little the president cares about the military personnel. Unfortunately, considering the source, it isn't amazing at all. Its just criminal, and sad.

Answer 7

Until his service obligation is met ( for example, if he enlisted for 6 years then until his 6 years is up he might keep going back thats just how it is, )
Thats what he agreed to the possibililty of when he enlisted.

Answer 8

I think that decision depends upon the individual and is best made by the military.

Your asking for a emotional answer to a question that has nothing to do with emotion.

Answer 9

When you enlist in the military, why would you think that you wouldn't actually have to do what you were trained to do or being paid to do?

Answer 10

And if Bill Clinton hadn't cut the military to the quick your friend wouldn't have had to do so many tours.