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Please don't get me wrong about reserves or NG troops. The only reason I worry about them is that they did not plan on being on active service this long. Many have mortagages and civilian jobs/businesses. Whereas regulars have base housing (yes I know they all don't) and their focus is being active military. I am not trying to impune them at all. I just want the best for them. They are being asked to do more than any reserve/NG units since WWII. I hope after the election we will raise a few more combat brigades, to ease the burden on the reserves and NG.

I know. The issue is very close to me as it is the Arkansas Brigade and my blood brother involved. The level of commitment he has to it keeps me going. If I had my druthers they would be pulled out today and be back in Arkansas tomorrow. I keep checking and asking him if its worth it....he keeps saying it is....if it wasn't I would be able to tell. So until he says different I have to go with the word.

His word is gold.
Our men are doing a great job over there, very under appreciated due to the MSM. This is one area I disagree with Rummy on, lets get more regulars. Two divisions would be plenty. Take the load off of the NG and Reserves. Actually I bet you could raise a division from the reserves and NG if you gave them a sign up bonus for a two year tour.
We have to accept we are in a long term war with both terrorists and the ChiComs.

I am curious, did your bloodbrother talked about the train-up prior to deployment? Was there train-up any good? I know ours was the worst training I have seen in my 12 years in the military. We had reserve water purification guys teaching infantry tactics.

As far as the war over here, the thing the MSM really misses is the courage of the Iraqis. These guys are going out without IBA in toyota trucks and trying to do their job. It is really something. Having said that, from were I am sitting it will take us a minimum of ten years to get a handle on the situation. And that is if we can secure the borders. And the Iraqi border patrol is less trained and less equipped that our border patrol.

I don't think the majority of the American people have the will to see casualties like we've been taking for ten years. And I am sure that at this point we do not have the man power to keep this level of troops in country for ten years. If something should happen in Korea or over Tawain, we would be up a creek without a paddle.