Air Guard slots were ‘safe’? I thought they were deployed during Viet Nam? Those who served in Air Guard... SERVED.
I’m sorry, I’ve made this argument for Bush and will make it for the ‘other side’ as well. Signing up for Air Guard is not the same as draft dodging.
You need to understand the Air Guard more. It depends on what type of aircraft the specific Guard Unit has. President Bush flew the F102 and it was not an required fighter/bomber plane for Viet Nam, but it was an “Air Defense Aircraft”. I guess that is why all F102 (and F106’s) were assigned to the U S Air Force Air Defense Command (ADC), my command for which is served for 8 of my 20 years active duty
Stephens got his slot after the Guard was full and only the ruling class were able to get their sons signed up. President Bush was a fighter pilot and would most likely served in Nam, but The Reds ran out of fighter pilots and jets and decided to go with surface to air missiles.