Allan Wall [National Guardsman in Iraq]: To the Borders! [US] Bring on the National Guard.

NRO ^ | October 26, 2005 | Allan Wall

[Tolik]

The National Guard should be deployed to the borders.

The size and scope of the American military presence here in Iraq is enormous. I guess I knew that already. But now that I'm actually in Iraq, deployed here with my Army National Guard unit, I've been able to catch a glimpse of it firsthand. It's impressive. It's not only the fact that we have so many people, both military and civilian, over here. We operate a vast infrastructure — a complex of over 100 bases served by fleets of supply trucks. Base facilities are constantly being upgraded in ongoing construction projects.

In a scant two and a half years, we have made our physical mark on the territory of Iraq. We have altered the landscape. Meanwhile, back in the U.S., our borders are still unsecured. Thousands of illegal aliens cross into our territory with impunity. They openly flout our laws and little is done about it. One of these days, a terrorist might just carry a weapon of mass destruction over the border.

Some say it's impossible to secure our borders. I don't believe it. Here in Iraq I've seen what a determined national policy can accomplish in a short time. Back home, borders could be secured, if the political will existed. The technical means exist already. We have the resources. We have the personnel. Some have suggested we use the National Guard to secure the borders.

I think it's a great idea. An excellent idea. An idea whose time has come. Many of the tasks necessary to secure the U.S. border are the same tasks we are already performing here in Iraq. They could be carried out just as easily (and less expensively) on our own borders. Here in Iraq, National Guardsmen are patrolling 24/7, logging thousands of miles in armored humvees. Why can't they do the same on our own borders ?

In Iraq, Guardsmen secure defensive perimeters, they man guard towers, they operate UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). They do surveillance in the dark with night-vision equipment. Why can't they do the same on the borders of their own country?

Currently, Guard units are being called up on 18-month deployments to Iraq and other places. Why can't they be deployed the same length of time to guard the border? When a Guard unit is not deployed, guardsmen train a total of about 40 days a year, one weekend a month and a two-week "annual training" period. Why not rotate National Guard units in and out of border duty for their yearly "training" period?

Other military branches — such as the Army Reserve, the Marine Reserve, and Air Force Security Forces — could be asked to participate as well. Under current federal law, the U.S. military can't physically detain illegal aliens, and leaves it to the border patrol to do it. But the military can still do patrolling, reconnaissance, and surveillance on the border. We're doing it in Iraq right now. To support these operations, permanent bases could be constructed along the border, to house troops and store equipment. Putting the Guard on the borders would send a message that we are finally serious about controlling our own borders.

— Allan Wall is currently deployed somewhere in Iraq, with his Texas Army National Guard unit. The views expressed in this column are only those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Guard, the Department of Defense, or the Bush administration.
 

[Tolik]

Nailed It!

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[GOPJ]

Many of the tasks necessary to secure the U.S. border are the same tasks we are already performing here in Iraq. They could be carried out just as easily (and less expensively) on our own borders. Here in Iraq, National Guardsmen are patrolling 24/7, logging thousands of miles in armored humvees. Why can't they do the same on our own borders ?

BINGO

[kellynla]

Deport 'em all!
Ike did it, so can Bush!

Build a wall...on both borders!
Deport all illegals including the incarcerated which will save us 50K a year per capita and open up slots for the American perverts roaming about the country unabated.
Secure the borders with the NG & BP.
And finally, fine employers who hire illegals.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[KarlInOhio]

Using the National Guard for border duty in the long term is a bad idea. Why? Because the border is a permanent issue, not a temporary (even 2-3 year) issue. We need either an increased border patrol, an increase in the regular army, or some other new similarly equiped organization. The National Guard is good for emergencies and war, but if you are going to use them forever you might as well move them to a permanent full-time organization. Also if you use the National Guard or army for the border, that means that they can't be used for something else in an emergency without stripping the border - bad idea.

[Dante3]

The biggest threat to this country comes from open borders and hordes of illegal aliens roaming across the land as well as the constant importing of immigrants from enemy countries.

[NapkinUser]

I wish president Bush would secure the borders already and stop feeding us garbage lines about jobs Americans won't do.

[jackbenimble]

Our borders are insecure for only one reason: because that is how the elites want them to be.

The Democrastic elites like open borders because sooner or later the illegals will become citizens and the majority will be poor and the poor vote Democrat. The Republicans want open borders because the rich employers want cheap labor. And the majority of all elites belong to the "one world" cabal and they would like to do away with inconvienient things like National sveriegnty. Most of the elites would prefer for America to be like Mexico where it was them who owned everything and had all the power and the majority of the population was just a bunch of serfs to uneducated to understand why they were poor. Until we start throwing politicians who won't secure the borders and enforce the laws out of office, the elites are going to get their way.

[gatorbait]

And finally, fine employers who hire illegals.

Start here and the rest will solve itself.

[ckilmer]

It looks like what frist is cooking up is a bait and switch.

[.cnI redruM]

I'm surprised and disappointed that none of the state governors have tried that. Especially the ones petitioning for the disaster area decree.

[kellynla]

"Start here and the rest will solve itself."

The MS13 crowd won't leave on their own.

We still have to get the criminal element out...
and even if we fine the employers the illegals will join the gangs to be able to stay here...
so we have to round 'em up and bus them out...
just like Ike did it!

[Leatherneck_MT]

Uurah Kelly

Semper Fi

[Travis McGee]

What the Border Patrol needs is an effective border fence system to guard, instead of having to chase illegals all over the landscape.

A multiple fence system would cost what we spend on illegals every month.

[GOPJ]

I'm surprised and disappointed that none of the state governors have tried that. Especially the ones petitioning for the disaster area decree.

me too...

[SwinneySwitch]

Texas National Guard Ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.

[janetgreen]

just like Ike did it!

In those NON "politically correct" times, Ike told us what it was all about - Operation Wetback. If it hurt anyone's feelings, too bad. That was back then when we had real leaders.

[SwinneySwitch]

ping!

[gatorbait]

so we have to round 'em up and bus them out... just like Ike did it!

You just stated step two, Kelly .

[HiJinx]

Spot on, Alan...