Bush credited for Guard drills (Kapow!)

The Boston Globe ^ | 2/10/04 | Walter V. Robinson

[The G Man]

President Bush received credit for attending Air National Guard drills in the fall of 1972 and spring of 1973 -- a period when his commanders have said he did not appear for duty at bases in Montgomery, Ala., and Houston -- according to two new documents obtained by the Globe.

[MJY1288]

I'm sure you're correct, at least we will see who these trolls are

[EllaMinnow]

Oh, how cute! You little rats now have patrollers!

You've attempted your mission and failed miserably. Now SCAT, before I call the kitties.

[dpa5923]

In any event, he has spent the most recent 3+ years in the military as Commander in Chief.

I remember when President Clinton was in the midst of changing the military's policy on homosexuality. In Jacksonville NC (right outside of Lejeune) they had a town hall meeting with personnel from both sides of the issue. One person commented that President Clinton had no military experience and as such didn't understand the military way of life. One of the pro-homo side said that Clinton had been in the military since Jan 20 1992 serving as Commander-in-Chief. Everyone in the audience howled.

President Bush served in the National Guard and did his duty (although not heroic, neither was it dishonorable) but to suggest that his serving as Commander-in-Chief is the same as the everyday solider, sailor, airman, or Marine serving is just as foolish as when the same was claimed of Clinton.

[dighton]

Have a seat.

[demlosers]

Well, Mr. CalPunk didn't get this right. I doubt this was an accident, it was more likely because of ignorance. If this guy made this silly mistake, then he probably made some more errors:

UPDATE: I see that I accidentally set off a storm by writing that ARF stands for "Army Reserve Force." This is almost certainly supposed to be "Air Reserve Force" and I've changed the text to remove the army reference.

[sphinx]

The truth is, Guard and Reserve service has, over the years, varied widely in the degree of rigor required. I grew up in a small town in Southern Indiana that had an active Guard company that got to drive tanks in parades, which seemed pretty cool to us sprouts. I have no idea how hard they trained -- hard training was a sometimes thing in the National Guard of that era -- but they sure rattled the windows on parade.

We also had an Air Force Reserve component that mustered periodically for drill at each other's houses, the "drill" consisting mainly of playing cards. These were all WWII veterans who were playing out the string and were not going to be recalled for anything short of WWIII, and then only to polish paper clips.

A lot depended on where you were and the status of your unit. Things got a bit loose at the end of the Vietnam era. I've always supposed that W, once he decided he wasn't staying in, probably skated by with the minimum required in a somewhat lax environment. Did his duty and moved on.

The military was, at the time, undergoing a significant RIF, and there has never been any shortage of guys who want to fly jets. I don't suppose anybody was particularly interested in wringing the last ounce of sweat from young George. Better to save the flying hours for someone who wanted them.

I gather things have tightened up considerably since then. Different era, different army.

[Neets]

Sniff..sniff...

Smell something FUNNY?

[CatoRenasci]

Excellent points, and consistent with my own military experience. RIFs are real and happen regularly. Reservists with less than critical skills are the first ones RIFfed. If George could only fly the F-102 and the F-102 was phased out, unless he looked like he'd really stay, he'd be a candidate for a RIF. And, if he wanted an early out to go to business school at Harvard, I can't imagine a CO who wouldn't try to accommodated him.

[ex 98C MI Dude]

I love the smell of ozone in the morning!

[EllaMinnow]

Now that the nasty little rat is gone, could you please remove the photo of the rat that I posted?

[demlosers]

Hey! This is a lie.

General Turnipseed of the Alabama National Guard. Bush never showed up and violated this direct order.

[cyncooper]

LOL

[RetiredArmy]

But, but, but, I was in Vietnam. Signed Catsup Kerry.

[The Mayor]

Bump!

[alwaysconservative]

I notice that the article had the now-familiar refrain that Brig. General Turnipseep "recanted" his earlier statements, when WE all know he was previously misquoted as part of a hit-piece. Have there been any new developments to your terrific contact with the General? I want this information to come out!

[PhilipFreneau]

The commander of the Alabama unit has said Bush did not appear for duty at his assigned unit there.

In Montgomery, Bush was supposed to do periodic drills with another Guard unit. But its commander has said Bush never appeared.

Both statements are False! On Feb 4, 2004, General Turnipseed stated, "I don't know if [Bush] showed up, I don't know if he didn't. I don't remember how often I was even at the base." Maybe Robinson did not get the news in time for his Feb 10th column.