A Familiar Strain Is Felt In Stateside Guard Unit

THE Washington Post ^ | September 19, 2004 | Thomas E. Ricks

[ProudVet77]

I will certainly defer to your experience.
My time was 70-74. So the situation was different. But it sounds like either the reserves or the officers were pretty bad to start with.
Did a 2 night stay in Yokota Japan on my way to Saigon. At least I thought it was 2 days. I can't recall anymore.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Either that or they forgot to drop some live mice in with him today.

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.

[churchillbuff]

churchillbuff, if you're going to talk down to a military man on a military topic"""

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.

[CWOJackson]

Thank you dear lady. I wouldn't be surprised about their gender. What I do find surprising is how they can live with themself while posting the same tired old scare tactic BS day after day.

The other day "it" had to have had at least three "draft scare" threads in one day. Doing the work of Charlie Rangle.

[Victor8]

"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?

[CWOJackson]

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.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

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.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Doing the work of Charlie Rangle.

Disgusting.

[churchillbuff]

I don't think you realize who you're talking to"""

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.

[CWOJackson]

"...incapable of, or unwilling to, engage in mature, respectful dialogue, and offer a cogent argument..."

From the person who constantly posts and/or defends the draft lie scare tactics...LOL!

[churchillbuff]

"BS", then you're posting "BS".

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.

[CWOJackson]

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.

[churchillbuff]

Don't waste your time on the vile little creature."""

You sure don't practice what you preach! I must get 20 posts a day from you!

[CWOJackson]

Yes, I do like to knock on the glass of your tank and disturb you. It's fun. I enjoy your hissing.

[armordog99]

No matter how anyone wants to sugar coat it, the military is being drawn thin. Now, for whatever reason, the powers that be do not want to increase troop levels. Considering the danger that Iran poses with their nuclear program, it would be very prudent to have those forces if necessary.

As far as relying on Guard and reserve, not going to have as many to rely on. The brigade I am in has a 1/4 of it's strength eligible to get out, and it's reenlisted only 60 some people. Also guard units returning from Iraq are losing 40%-60% of their strength once stop-loss is lifted. These numbers are coming straight from a recruiting & retention NCO.

He also told me the only reason the active duty is not feeling the pinch yet is because they are offering $20,000 reenlistment bonuses.

[churchillbuff]

. It's fun."

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?

[Arkinsaw]

Are you saying that what's reported in this article isn't true? Or is it that we just shouldn't learn about the extraordinary strains that are being put on Guard and Reserve forces because "genius" Rumsfeld didn't deploy enough regular forces to Iraq? He pooh-poohed the generals who told him he'd need 200,000 troops at least. McCain has also said from the first that they were severely underestimating the troop needs. But I guess we're not supposed to talk about that, right?

I forgot, its a quagmire. I said from the start that we didn't need to take on the job of being Baghdad policemen or museum guards. But nonetheless, we have car-bombs blowing up people standing in line to join the ING to help us. Now I don't know how many Americans would line up outside an NYPD building to join up if there was a fair chance of them being blown up in that line.

We beat these bastards everytime they come out to fight. We invaded a Texas-sized country and have occupied it for a year and have lost 1,000 men. Now even 1 is a tragedy, but its not like we are suffering the daily casualty rates of WWII or even Vietnam.

Now if you think its great that the media decides it needs to come out and portray this as if its the same as GD Vietnam, which it ain't, in the middle of an election to influence that election then you get no support from me on it.

Now I have complained about taking National Guard troops trained for artillery and putting them in convoy escort duty without additional training. Thats valid. I've complained about not setting up safe areas for ING recruits and thats valid. The soldiers have other complaints that are valid. But it sure as hell isn't valid to be portraying this as Viet F'ing Nam.

There are 5,000 Arkansas National Guard troops over there including my best friend. They have tough days but not the damn nightmare every minute that the media is portraying.

[jaykay]

I wonder just whose fault the lack of active duty troops is????

Could it be...... Slick Willy?

Holy ____! He's still the President?

[CWOJackson]

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?

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

The fact that he might have worn a uniform - or maybe still does -

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.