Posted on 06/29/2004 6:13:55 PM PDT by BulletBobCo
Edited on 06/29/2004 6:26:25 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
WASHINGTON — As many as 7,500 retired and discharged soldiers who are not members of the National Guard or Reserve will be involuntarily recalled to active duty for possible service in Iraq or Afghanistan, Army sources told FOX News Tuesday.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Used to be three years IIRC.
What's up with not just raising the size of the military so that more people can voluntarily join? Ick. The National Guard and the Reserve aren't being used as intended.
Training facilities are going like crazy.
More than 3 years for most retirees, or at least the potential. I retired in '96 after 22 years of active duty -- that obligated me for another 8 years (total of 30 years) of being subject to recall.
I think they'd prefer to recall soldiers who are already trained.
My personal doctor has been worried about getting called and losing his practice. He has been out quite a while.
Misleading headline, at best... all enlistments carry an Inactive reserve component. My four year enlistment carried a follow-on four year inactive reserve commitment.
Some of the people I knew that got out about the same time I did in 1989 were called back via the inactive reserve for the first Gulf War. I was on the list, but never got the call.
This is absolutely *nothing* new.
I did 28 and I'm good for a couple more, as long as they don't try to put me out front, I'd get people killed.
I may be old but I'm game (Wife says Gamey)
I can cook, I can Operate Equipment, I can be the "Old Guy" I can listen and I can Motivate.
I can still out perform ANY PREGNANT FEMALE at ANY task (except that Childbirth and Nursing thing)
I have volunteered and they won't take me, damned pitiful they waste youth on young people.
I have it through the grape vine that callups were, and have allready been made on a limited scale.
They can raise the size of the military, and they are. From all accounts, enlistments are up and growing.
There is still some value in recalling certain trained specialists to active duty, and a few thousand is a tiny percentage of the total troop levels. My guess is they're after a few particular specialties to fill in the holes.
I'm not really sure why this is a story?
We both know why those yougins are the best at this.
I have a bum leg and knees, but I can drive a truck and shoot!
There has got to be something I can do to free up the young studs to do their job. If we are going to reactivate a couple of divisions, I ought to be able to help do that.
I have done a lot of soul searching, and while the Duchess thinks I have done my share, I can't really define that point where I really have "done my share".
It is war!
.
For...
...We Were Soldiers Once...
...and Young (Photos)
Then:
http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_set1.htm
http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_set2.htm
http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_set3.htm
Now:
http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_collection.htm
.
My wife was a captain in the air force. She was a pharmacist and was on active duty for three years and then went on IRR status when she left active duty, July 1989. She was called back and spent 6 months stateside at a base hospital while they deployed the active duty that were assigned there overseas. For the officers, as long as they have a commission, they are on the hook for life. During the Gulf War, there were many doctors that had been retired that were recalled back to active duty. After our kids came along, she decided to resign her commission. With both of us subject to recall (I'm on retired reserve status) it was in our best interest to keep one of us home with the kids. It was a tough decision for her all the same.
Sir, I am writing this to appeal to you to intervene and allow me to further serve my country. I would like to volunteer my services and allow some young soldier currently serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom to come home. I am a retired Army First Sergeant. I served in Operation Desert Storm with OPM-SANG. I am proud to have served under your father who I consider a decent and honorable man and a first class Commander in Chief even though he was a little liberal for my political tastes.
It pains me to no end to know we dropped napalm on little yellow bastards in Viet Nam who were not as committed to Marxist Socialism as some folks now in the United States Congress. My preference would be to mount an assault on this even more dangerous threat to our freedom. This not being likely I would like to volunteer for duty in Iraq as a recovery specialist, preferably in a transportation unit, specifically a 37th Trans Group unit.
I would not presume to be able to lead today's soldiers since I have been retired since 1992 and much has changed, both in the Army and the world. I can, however, drive anything with wheels and recover or fix anything not blown up beyond recognition. I was the best 5 ton wrecker operator in the entire 37th Transportation Group from 1975 through 1978. I never once failed to repair or recover a piece of equipment I was dispatched to recover. My experience level would be many times that of a young soldier I would replace. This would far outweigh the fact that I am old and slightly over my "fighting weight".
This could be the start of a great PR campaign, veterans for the war. Allow us older vets who have raised our kids and lived our lives to give back to the brave young warriors who have fought so magnificently and won this battle. The major combat is over, our presence would not hinder or endanger operations, especially in support roles.
I have a home and a job I love. My wife, a Drill Sergeant at the time, stood by me when I volunteered for Desert Storm. I don't expect her to be happy about this but she will understand. We agree that civilians are OK in small doses but 12 years of the whiny bastards is wearing on me.
I would respectfully ask that you direct that I be recalled to active duty for the express purpose of replacing any 63B20/30 wrecker operator in any 37th Trans Gp unit (if possible) deployed in Iraq. That I be expeditiously processed with minimal training and administrative hassles (I don't want to replace some REMF in Ft. Dix, I want to go to Iraq). That I be allowed to wear the rank of Master Sergeant but you can pay me at the grade of the soldier I replace. I will agree to be considered junior to and accept orders from any NCO appointed over me for the duration of my deployment.
I believe in you and your mission to rid the world of terrorists. I feel I could contribute to this effort while at the same time allowing some young soldier to go home early. I give you my solemn promise that you will not regret this action. Like you, in the defense of our nation, I will not tire, I will not falter, I will not fail.
Alfred W. Evans
1SG, USA(Ret)
1635 CR 147
Gatesville, Texas 76528
I have yet to hear from him.
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You, Sir, are the kind of American Modern Day Hero whose Heroism I was blessed to witness at the 1st Major Battles of the Vietnam War.
Please check out:
'Modern Day Heroes: In Defense of America'
http://www.ModernDayHeroes.com
Signed:.."ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer - Contributing Author
.
Your kind words humble me. I am not nearly at the level of your group.
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