Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: xzins
additional information and clarification:

Except for some years in the late 1970's, reserve and guard members were expected to perform 4 drills (2 days) each month, plus 2 weeks (typically Monday to the following Friday) - or 12 days of training. The 48 drills + 15 membership points = 63 drill points - but was truncated to 60 points. Add to the 60 drill points the 12 active duty training points ... and you get 72 points.

72 points is what most every driller would do. They could miss 1 weekend as an excused absence and not make it up ... missing more than 1 weekend (or 4 drills) MIGHT be cause for counseling. BUT ... you needed only 50 points for the year to be counted as "GOOD" ... i.e. - creditable towards getting 20 years for retirement eligibility.

In the late 70's, thanks to Carter's gutting the military, drillers were only allowed 24 drills (1 day per month, 2 drills per day). 24 drills + 12 days active duty training + 15 membership points = 51 points. Miss more than 2 drills - no good year ...NOT GOOD if you want to get your reserve retirement (which doesn't start until you reach age 60). (Fortunately, Pres. Reagan changed this too!)

Also - a reservist can submit a waiver to omit the 12 days active duty training ... which would make a drilling year only 60 points.

Bottom line ... if President Bush had ONLY the minimums of 50 points per year, I would be only slightly worried that he did the minimums, and didn't do what most drillers did. Now, if he based his campaign on his Guard time - regardless of how many drill points he got, I would be much more worried. His record as Governor of Texas and his record for the past 3+ years is far more commendable than ANYTHING that sKerry has done.

Mike

40 posted on 08/28/2004 8:32:48 AM PDT by Vineyard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies ]


To: Vineyard

If I remember correctly, each of his first 2 years was over 200 points. The next two were over 100, and the final two were each 56 or so.


41 posted on 08/28/2004 8:38:10 AM PDT by xzins (Retired Army and Supporting Bush/Cheney 2004!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson