Posted on 09/18/2004 11:17:47 PM PDT by neverdem
FORT DIX, N.J. -- The 635 soldiers of a battalion of the South Carolina National Guard scheduled to depart Sunday for a year or more in Iraq have spent their off-duty hours under a disciplinary lockdown in their barracks for the last two weeks.
The trouble began Labor Day weekend, when 13 members of the 1st Battalion of the 178th Field Artillery Regiment went AWOL, mainly to see their families again before shipping out. Then there was an ugly confrontation between members of the battalion's Alpha and Charlie batteries -- the term artillery units use instead of "companies" -- that threatened to turn into a brawl involving three dozen soldiers, and required the base police to intervene.
That prompted a barracks inspection that uncovered alcohol, resulting in the lockdown that kept soldiers in their rooms except for drills, barred even from stepping outside for a smoke, a restriction that continued with some exceptions until Sunday's scheduled deployment.
The battalion's rough-and-tumble experience at a base just off the New Jersey Turnpike reflects many of the biggest challenges, strains and stresses confronting the Guard and Reserve soldiers increasingly relied on to fight a war 7,000 miles away.
This Guard unit was put on an accelerated training schedule -- giving the soldiers about 36 hours of leave over the past two months -- because the Army needs to get fresh troops to Iraq, and there are not enough active-duty or "regular" troops to go around. Preparation has been especially intense because the Army is short-handed on military police units, so these artillerymen are being quickly re-trained to provide desperately needed security for convoys. And to fully man the unit, scores of soldiers were pulled in from different Guard outfits, some voluntarily, some on orders.
As members of the unit looked toward their tour,...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
If I'm not mistaken, "churchillbuff" is a woman. And as far as I know, "churchillbuff" is not qualified to talk down to a man who has spent his life serving his country when military issues are the topic. I guess we'll see, huh? I can't wait to hear why she thinks she can condescend to you on the subject.
Goodness, Excuse me. But if CWO has any special knowledge that contradicts the fact that the Guard is being relied on to an unprecedented degree, he hasn't revealed it. Instead he contents himself with hurling the juvenile epithet, "BS." I've always scorned snide twits who repeat the disrespectful joke that says "military intelligence" is an oxymoron, but CWO seems to be trying to play into that joke by posting sophomoric rants. It's hard not to "talk down" to someone who employs gutter talk - or initials that stand for a gutter expression - on what is supposed to be a family-friendly board.
The other day "it" had to have had at least three "draft scare" threads in one day. Doing the work of Charlie Rangle.
"Guard is being relied on to an unprecedented degree"
I'm not sure how "unprecedented" it is. In the Gulf War, 50% of the Marines in country were reservists. I truly do not know if the National Guard has ever been called up at this rate, but reservists have been. Am I supposed to feel like, since they joined the Guard, that it is sad and unfortunate that they have to go do their job?
If you want a gutter expression try this one for size. The only people who would try to scare votes up the Kerry with lies about the draft as POS.
What are your credentials?
I don't think you realize who you're talking to - and for that, I suppose you can be excused - but I'm telling you, when he says you're posting "BS", then you're posting "BS".
That's all I'm going to say.
Disgusting.
All he's revealed to me is that he's incapable of, or unwilling to, engage in mature, respectful dialogue, and offer a cogent argument. Instead, he bleats, "BS." The fact that he might have worn a uniform - or maybe still does - while certainly honorable, doesn't transform immature cheap shots into thoughtful commentary.
From the person who constantly posts and/or defends the draft lie scare tactics...LOL!
Well, I never mistook him for Cicero, that's for sure. But to say that the troops are overstretched is merely to repeat what a number of generals - and candid legislators like McCain - are saying. Let CWO shout "BS" at them. They might not salute back to such a juvenile the way you're doing.
Don't waste your time on the vile little creature. If you have seen any of his threads lately you can understand his angst...he's pretty much universally despised.
You sure don't practice what you preach! I must get 20 posts a day from you!
Yes, I do like to knock on the glass of your tank and disturb you. It's fun. I enjoy your hissing.
you bet it is. You remind me of one of those snarling angry characters in a Bugs Bunny cartoon who's always shooting angry steam through the eyes and ears. What's up, doc?
You sound even drunker then normal tonight. Is that why you got such a late start in spreading your BS? Of where you at a Kerry rally handing out the draft lie flyers?
I see. It's worse than I thought. Not only do you not know anything about Jackson - you don't even know what "CWO" means.
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