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Reservists Backpedaling As War Looks More Likely
The Tampa Tribune | Feb 9. 2003 | Marilyn Rauber

Posted on 02/11/2003 2:05:09 PM PST by FloridaGeezer

Panic phone calls coming, lawyers say.

Washington-South Carolina freshman Gov. Mark Sanford-an Air Force reservist-sparked an outcry when he suggested his job would keep him from joining a war against Iraq.

Sanford, a Republican, was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the reserves in January 2002 and was elected governor in November. He said recently that he wouldn't deploy, then changed his course and said he would go if called.

But he's not the only military reservist with doubts about heading for the Persian Gulf.

Lawyers say they're being flooded with pamic calls from reservists who either don't believe the United States should attack Iraq or are worried about their safety, their jobs, their finances, their health or leaving their loved ones. The reservists are afraid to talk on record, their attorneys say.

"We have everybody from doctors to seaman apprentices wanting to get out," said David Sheldon, a former Navy lawyer now in private practice in Washington.

Virginia Beach lawyer Greg McCormack said a lot more reservists are calling him than in 1991 when the United States drove Iraq out of Kuwait,

This time around, with no overt aggression by Iraq, "a lot of people are questioning what are we doing, moms and dads saying, 'Why should my son go?,'" said McCormack, a former Army prosecutor.

No one disputes that most reservists are cooperating with the Pentagon call-up, the largest since the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

"Most people in the military are there to do their job and do it well," said Pentagon Spokesperson Maj. Sandy Troeber.

No Pentagon statistics on AWOLs and deserters were available beyond 2001.

But the G.I. Rights Hotline, which was set up by antiwar activists to help those who have either fled or are thinking about it, say their calls have more than tripled in the past few months.

"Sometimes they say, 'I just got back, I can't go again,' or 'I was just in it for the college money,' or 'I'm willing to defend my country but I'm not willing to invade Iraq,'" said J.E. McNeil, a lawyer for the G.I. Rights Hotline.

Last week, Defense Sectretary Donald Rumsfeld acknowledged some of the nation's reserves have been "jerked around" since the rolling call-ups began after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Reservists have been doing everything from guarding local airports to cleaning up after the war in Afghanistan. Now, they'r heading for the gulf. Rumsfeld is considering easing the future burden on the reserves by delegating more support jobs to permanent troops.

About 95,000 reservists and National Guardsmen are on active duty. More than 260,000 were mobilized during the Persian Gulf War.

Jay Farrar, a military analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that after Bush declared a long term war on terrorism 16 months ago, many of his reservist friends began resigning or retiring to avoid being called up again and again.

Some of the services, including the Marine Corps, have frozen retirements and are keeping overseas units in place to ensure troops can't retire even if they want to.

But, Farrar predicted, despite a reluctance to go to war, the number of AWOLs will be about as low as during the Persian Gulf War.

Most of the people , while it's painful to go, believe in their commitment and will honor their commitment," Farrar said.

Reservist or full-time servicemen who dodge their orders can receive a dishonorable discharge or even jail time. The military usually waits 30 days before considering them deserters.

The Pentagon says not even governors are exempt from deployment,

Air Force Reserves spokesman Lt. Col. Audrey Bahler said only members of Congress or those holding "key" federal jobs are automatically exempted. Other requests are handled "case by case."

Reserveists sign up for a six year stint and are paid only when they are on duty. They also can get college tuition and other G.I. Bill benefits. While on active duty, they receive the saame benefits as military enlisties, such as health care, They can be activated for as much as 12 months at a time.

They also get added help from Uncle Sam and private industry.

Employers are required to save a reservist's job, and some companies continue to provide benefits and salary supplements to absent workers. A 60-year old federal law also tries to alleviate mortgage and credit card worries by capping the interest rates that banks may charge active-duty reservists.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; US: South Carolina
KEYWORDS: deployment; reserved; reservists; warlist
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To: FloridaGeezer
"I will not support an UN-AMERICAN scumbag under any circumstances."

W

Do I hear a second on "W"

The "Anti - - Anti-war" Wave. What Should It Be? What Should It Look Like?

”For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security. Thomas Jefferson

41 posted on 02/11/2003 2:39:47 PM PST by Happy2BMe (It's All About You - It's All About Me - It's All About Being Free!)
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To: laconic
That's exactly the case. I'm sure he had to get some age waiver to get in (he had no prior military experience) and he joined up after 9/11 so he knew the odds of getting called up to active duty were very high.

Its one thing to let him out of active service if, say, he had been a reservist for 10 years and he's just been elected governor. But this guy joined the reserves the same year that he ran for governor.

He wanted the electoral plus (especially in South Carolina) of being a military man but now he doesn't want to actually, you know, be in the military. Clinton would be proud.


42 posted on 02/11/2003 2:42:29 PM PST by Maximum Leader (run from a knife, close on a gun)
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To: FloridaGeezer
My son and my son-in-law have both been called to active duty in the California National Guard. They will both go where they are sent and will do the jobs given them well. They are good, solid men who have been raised to honor God and their country. My son-in-law just became a father for the second time 4 months ago. My granddaughter, Amanda, will miss her dad but grandpa will be around to help out. My son followed his dad, me, into the Marine Corps and after discharge enlisted in the Guard to be with his brother-in-law. They will take care of each other. About 17 men in their unit have gone AWOL after receiving orders. My son says that they were, for the most part, foreign born individuals who have gone back to their countries of origin to avoid service. I told him that he was better off not having them with him and to take care of his own.
43 posted on 02/11/2003 2:42:40 PM PST by harrym
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To: ravingnutter
*...I am so proud of her for taking the initiative.*

You should be! :^)

Prairie
44 posted on 02/11/2003 2:43:06 PM PST by prairiebreeze ("We won't deny, ignore or pass our problems along to other Presidents" --GWBush)
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To: FloridaGeezer
*No one disputes that most reservists are cooperating with the Pentagon call-up*

This is the point that I choose to remember and focus on. While it is irksome to read about those that are displaying their chicken feathers, the large majority are stepping up to serve.

It is them that I pray for every single day. And their families.
45 posted on 02/11/2003 2:44:53 PM PST by prairiebreeze ("We won't deny, ignore or pass our problems along to other Presidents" --GWBush)
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To: FloridaGeezer
I know it's too much to expect from the leftist media, but it would be nice to see more stories about all the guys who are bursting with pride and eagerness to help take down Saddam. I'd wager they outnumber the types in this article by a huge margin.

But of course, the media will seize on ANY sentiment that makes President Bush's war plans look bad, no matter how much in the minority that sentiment is. Think about it: How many non-Hollywood types get whole stories (and headlines) detailing their opinion on the war? Virtually NONE when that opinion is in favor. And yet, actors make up a minuscule percentage of the population.

46 posted on 02/11/2003 2:45:17 PM PST by TrappedInLiberalHell (Let's Iraq and Roll!)
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To: CWOJackson
1) Do their duty. 2) Pay back every penny they have received in pay, benefits, comphensation and cost of training, then receive a Dishonorable Discharge.

Don't forget the interest!.
47 posted on 02/11/2003 2:45:37 PM PST by ottersnot (always wear clean underwear on FR, never know when you might ZOT)
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To: FloridaGeezer
W

"I had made it clear to the world that either you're with us or you're with the enemy, and that doctrine still stands"


48 posted on 02/11/2003 2:46:05 PM PST by Happy2BMe (It's All About You - It's All About Me - It's All About Being Free!)
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To: Mrs.Liberty
I'm 49, an ex bubblehead, and would go and do my duty if asked or if I could. I know who buttered my bread and its this wonderful country, its history, and its inherent goodness. I owe this country a lot more than it owes me. Besides...I need another adventure before I die.
49 posted on 02/11/2003 2:47:01 PM PST by montomike
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To: dandelion
These are the same people who claim that Saddam Hussein has no weapons of mass destruction. They have as much credibility as Clinton does.

You know what? You are exactly right. I remember right after 911 re-enlistment and recruitment rates were off the charts and are still pretty good today.

50 posted on 02/11/2003 2:48:04 PM PST by KC_Conspirator
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To: MEGoody
Why should a governor be exempt? He ran for governor, he wasn't forced into the position. He knew he was in the reserves didn't he?
51 posted on 02/11/2003 2:50:42 PM PST by Mears
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To: *war_list
http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list
52 posted on 02/11/2003 2:53:11 PM PST by Libertarianize the GOP (Ideas have consequences)
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To: edskid
This is the price of continuing to wait around - the internal enemy has finally gotten organized. When the foreign enemies finally strike us here maybe at least this time some of the home grown America haters will be hit too.
53 posted on 02/11/2003 2:54:37 PM PST by Let's Roll (Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done.)
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To: montomike
ex bubble head here too, ssbn600, ssn575, ssn690, ssn692, ssn698, ssn683. I miss it and have been retired since 93.
54 posted on 02/11/2003 2:54:40 PM PST by DeathfromBelow
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To: FloridaGeezer
'But, Farrar predicted, despite a reluctance to go to war, the number of AWOLs will be about as low as during the Persian Gulf War.
Most of the people , while it's painful to go, believe in their commitment and will honor their commitment," Farrar said.'
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
So the rest of this ENTIRE article was about a tiny fraction of the otherwise brave and committed group of American men and women in our nation's reserves.
The only question I have for this author is - "May I see your agenda, please"?
55 posted on 02/11/2003 2:56:56 PM PST by Route66 (America's Mainstreet)
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To: CWOJackson
Big time BUMP!!

What he said!

56 posted on 02/11/2003 2:58:30 PM PST by Publius6961
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To: FloridaGeezer
Choices.

1. Go.

2. Go to jail.

I have zero use for such bums.

And how loathsome to join the reserves to win an election, then try to back out.

(USNR - Retired)

57 posted on 02/11/2003 3:00:17 PM PST by pabianice
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To: Maximum Leader
Geez, at least give Gov. Sanford credit for deciding the right way. He's a good guy who signed up for service -- and all he gets for it is criticism!

From the Charlotte Observer

In a letter to Lt. Gov. André Bauer released to the news media Tuesday, Sanford said he wanted to make clear his position on the issue. Bauer would temporarily take Sanford's place while he served on active duty.

"The bottom line for me is that I made a commitment and I am going to keep it," Sanford wrote. "Therefore, as to any orders I receive I will do just as anyone else in my unit and follow them."

Sanford's job description with the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, headquartered at Charleston Air Force Base, is medical administration officer. That means he would coordinate medical airlifts aboard giant C-17 transport planes, which fly battle casualties to military hospitals in Germany or the United States.

The article goes on to say that Sanford hasn't completed all the training he needs to serve on active duty, because all the sessions were full when he applied, and that through the whole process he was treated as just another patriotic American wanting to serve his country, which is what he is.

58 posted on 02/11/2003 3:01:02 PM PST by JohnnyZ (I am just here for the beer)
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To: FloridaGeezer
I was just in it for the college money

Time to pay up!

59 posted on 02/11/2003 3:04:02 PM PST by 6ppc
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To: FloridaGeezer
These maggots had better do their duty or let them pay the full price of treason during wartime!

What the *ell do these 'patriots' think military service is all about anyway? Free college, great career and then retirement on our nickel and no sacrifice on their part? BS, boys its payback time! When I was in the USAF, people joined the military because they loved their country and we didn't have to be bribed by Uncle Sam to do it either!
60 posted on 02/11/2003 3:13:05 PM PST by Walkin Man
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