[kilowhskey]

I'll take a whack at it for you, Samwise. Your grasp of merchant mariners is good. What induces confusion is when a civilian shipping company has a contract with the pentagon to carry military cargo into a combat zone. In Viet Nam, civilians were operating all manner of WWII and Korean-era freighters, tankers and LSTs.

With regard to the distinction between the reserves and the guard, the difference is small but significant. Reservists and reserve units are under the direct control of the pentagon. Guard units are under the direct control of their respective state governors, who can mobilize them for state emergencies.

Hope that helps.

[Samwise]

Thanks for the help.

Now, how come so much of the force in the Mid East are guardsmen? I understand why reservists were called up, but why the guardsmen? I thought they were here to "guard us" in an emergency. And God help us all if that yoyo governor of mine is coordinating our guardsmen in Iraq. I guess the pentagon can call up the guard too, but why? They are the state guard and the military has its reservists? It sounds like the revolution when each state sent its militia, and they were all under different control. I know the war is an emergency, but you know what I mean. Who's watching the homefront?

P.S. None of this is criticism. I just don't understand why so much burden is being placed on the guard.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning and thank you kilowhskey. Wonderful explanation, clear and to the point. One of the beauties of the Foxhole is how we all jump in and help each other out. I learn something here everyday.

I love this place. :-)