[68skylark]

I've heard and read a number of stories about Guard and Reserve troops who have to go into combat with sub-standard support. I've always hoped that when the active Army recognizes the good work being done by Guard and Reserve troops, that 2-tiered culture would go away. Maybe that's happening.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

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[xsrdx]

M68 Close Combat Optic (Aimpoint Comp M/XD)

[68skylark]

Ping. Thought you might be interested in this news story. Maybe your prayers have been working!

[xsrdx]

Screaming Eagles trooper with Interceptor armor, M4 w/ M68 optic and PEQ 4 IR/visible laser; OEF Afghanistan.

[shield]

bmp

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ping

[archy]

I've heard and read a number of stories about Guard and Reserve troops who have to go into combat with sub-standard support. I've always hoped that when the active Army recognizes the good work being done by Guard and Reserve troops, that 2-tiered culture would go away. Maybe that's happening.

It's been more a problem of getting some items into the supply pipeline, expecially in some critical sizes, and in maintaining the followup so that when a localized supply shortage does bite some trooper in the behind, the piece of equipment or gear eventually gets to him or her.

The first regular army units that deployed had the active-duty troop's experiencein dealing with the sometimes recalcitrant and truculent army supply system and sometimes stripped the supply system not only at their own base but others as well, getting equipment for all their own personnel by any meand necessary, by hook or by crook. But it takes time for the system to recover after that equivalent of a visit by locusts or fire ants, and some of the NG and reserve units that immediately followed one of those line unit deployments were indeed caught by some resulting shortages.

But things are getting better now, both here stateside, giving the users a chance to get accustomed to their new gear, and overseas in the field where replacements for wear and tear and combat losses are very much going to be required. It's still not perfect, and probably never will be. But it can be improved, and the worst of the problem fixed, and it looks like now maybe it has been.

Next step: effectively armored vehicles for anyone who might be shot at.

[Voice in your head]

This article seems kind of shady. This National Guard unit got DCUs, M68s, M4s, MICH helmets, and interceptor vests. That's a good start. But, if they truly were equipped as well as their active duty counterparts, then they would also have taclights, M145s, PAS-13s, PVS-14s, PEQ-2As and/or PAQ-4Cs, shotguns, PRC-148s, and PRC-119s (with the RT-1523E). I would assume that if they had any of those items, then the article would have mentioned it, since it is clearly trying to put a positive spin on how well equipped the Guard is. I would also be curious to see what condition their SAWs are in and if their M60s been replaced by M240Bs yet.