Soldier, 71, Called Back To Active Duty

The Associated Press ^ | November 11, 2005

[Tulsa Ramjet]

"the military is trying new ways to fill the gap."

this is not a "new" way to fill a gap. All officers are in for life, and can be called in at any time. Price of being commissioned. If this jackass reporter for AP would do a little research, they would find this out.

In light of the continuing idiocy of the press, it has come to my attentino that we need to start changing the dynamic of Free Republic. Instead of posters just posting the article alone that allows us to rip apart the inacuracies, and we verbally high-five each other, posters also need to include the reporter's direct email so that we can also personally rip THEM apart with a quick copy paste. Why let these people off the hook? It would be nice to have a direct email link cell to the reporter or print company included with the FR posting format. IMHO

[Moonman62]

Eventually, the colonies benefitted from domestic manufacture, having previously been forbidden to manufacture and only supplying raw materials to Britain's industries.

The American IPO had very little earnings, a highly devalued stock, heavily in debt and virtually bankrupt. Many FReepers would have called it a scam. (And the first CEO had to borrow money to pay his own relocation expenses.)

[justshutupandtakeit]

So have you always been full of shiite or is it a recent change?

[Moonman62]

Are you sure it wasn't because we didn't have debtor's prisons?

[MinuteGal]

Congratulations for being one of the few who dug out from the warm and fuzzy feelings engendered by this article.

You actually got the message, Message.

Leni

[cynicom]

That may have influenced many...My ancestors were here long before the war and did their part in throwing out the Brits...

[b9]

They can't be all that hard up if they wouldn't even let Bruce Willis join.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

When I enlisted at 17, many of the draftees with US serial numbers thought I was nuts to have an RA one.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

That little gig down at NO was sweet payback for the WH thingy. Albeit technically, the Treaty of Ghent had already ended the war when the battle of New Orleans was fought.

[yoe]

Thank heavens for such men!!!! I'd go in a heart beat if I could do something more than cook...they've got all the photographers they need and they surely don't need a half baked piano player who shoots better with a bow and arrow*~* so will continue sending boxes with goodies and Club Gitmo shirts.

[George W. Bush]

The American IPO had very little earnings, a highly devalued stock, heavily in debt and virtually bankrupt. Many FReepers would have called it a scam. (And the first CEO had to borrow money to pay his own relocation expenses.)

I think that first generation of colonists felt they got screwed, a proud American tradition that carries on to modern times.

Was it worthwhile to us, their descendants? Of course. For them? I think their mileage varied but was largely on the negative side, made worse by continuing harassment from the Brits and French with aid from Indians trying to contain paleface expansionism.

[deport]

After 2,000 fallen heroes, America is down to calling up old men and teenage boys to fight the battle.

---

You reckon the hale and healthy 20 - 40 year olds aren't dedicated to their country?. Sounds like this gentleman offered his services back in 2001 and is now being taken up on his offer.

Yep when you fail in enlistment quotas you try other avenues kinda like in real life. You do what is necessary to get the job done but some will whine and complain no matter what. JMO and obiviously yours is different.

[DakotaGator]

Ordinarily,those who serve honorably for at least 20 years (or less in cases of disability) are entitled to a pension.That's what I'd define as a "career".

Our definitions of "career" coincide. The confusion seems to be from the commission status.

Upon completing a career in the regular service, an officer does not resign his commission. He submits a request to be transferred to the Retired List. Upon approval of the request, the officer is no longer on the Active List. He retains his commission, appends "(Ret)" to his title, and receives a pension.

Those on the Retired List are still in the service, just not active duty. This facilitates immediate return (recall) to active duty should the need arise.

[A message]

Would you like to buy a bridge in Brooklyn I'm selling.

I am humbled by this man's service to his nation.

It is a very touching article that could have been written without the reference to a "shortfall."

That "shortfall" was the point of the AP article.

Propaganda can be packaged many ways. The propaganda was NOT the sincere love this man has for his country, but instead we need retired soldiers to be recalled to fight the battle.

[cynicom]

I recall MacArthur was 71 or therebouts and still serving.

[Rebelbase]

"After two years of college at the University of Tennessee, he went through an accelerated program developed in World War II to train doctors in just three years of medical school."

Wow, medical doctor in just 5 years.

[daybreakcoming]

With a shortfall of 24,000 troops in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard, the military is trying new ways to fill the gap.

And this line in the first paragraph caught me:
"after the military was thoroughly embroiled in Iraq and needing more soldiers."

[DakotaGator]

When I enlisted at 17, many of the draftees with US serial numbers thought I was nuts to have an RA one.

LOL! I saw that all the time.

Seriously, I salute you sir for your service and committment.

[A message]

No my sarcasm there was directed at the AP.

The AP would like the reader to think that things are so bad, much like the final days of destroying Nazi Germany, when Germany had few able 20 -40 year old men to replace losses, that fit and able 20- 40 year old men are not available now and we need those who are not of regular military age to win this war against Islamo tyranny.

[DakotaGator]

I recall MacArthur was 71 or therebouts and still serving.

I believe you are right. Also, I'm not sure but I think there are different rules when one is of 5-star rank.