Please pardon me while I indulge in some repressed anger. I, too, joined the Air National Guard [Wisconin] in 1972 not to avoid the draft [I had just come off five years of active duty that included flying into Viet Nam] but because I loved flying and I loved the military. Several of my squadron mates came to the WisANG after service in Viet Nam.
After I retired, my guard unit was called up for both Iraqi wars. So those who say people in the National Guard are avoiding the war haven't got a clue. I believe that over 40% of the current military forces deployed in Iraq today are Guard and Reserve forces.
And as far as Pres. Bush's physical went, there could have been a dozen different explanations for it. The Guard during that period was extremely accomodating. If you couldn't make a "drill", then you could make it up later or not at all if it was not critical. The hallmark of the Guard was its flexibility. That tradition goes back to when we confronted the British and won!
Sorry. Thank you for indulging me; I do feel much, much better.
1. Thank you for your Service.
2. As you very well know, the National Guard has a very long and very distinguished history of service domestic and abroad. For anyone to even suggest that NG service is somehow "less than" anything is studied ignorance on purpose beyond cure.
. . . as far as Pres. Bush's physical went, there could have been a dozen different explanations for it. The Guard during that period was extremely accomodating.
In fact, you have already explained it. You and your squadron mates came back from Vietnam and joined the Air National Guard - and, quite naturally, were alloted flying time. Did the hours the ANG could fly skyrocket along with that influx of pilots? No. What effect did that have on the hours existing ANG pilots could get? They went into the tank.When your squadron mates came back and joined the Texas ANG, they effectively took the flying billet away from Lt. George W. Bush. He didn't trouble to take his physical for the simple reason that the ANG didn't need him in flying status. Contrary to the fraudulent "order" from the conveniently deceased Col. Killian, TANG had no reason to want Lt. Bush to remain on flying status. He had served the Guard when the pilots were in short supply, but when the Guard received a glut of veteran pilots back from Vietnam his services as a pilot were no longer needed.
Yes, and thank you for your service.
Thanks for giving important background information and context. No apology necessary.
You have every right to your anger. I served twenty years on active duty, but I also have six years with the Army Reserve and National Guard. The soldiers who served in the Guard and Reserve were just as good soldiers as any with whom I served on active duty.
I once had a liberal friend. During the 2004 presidential election campaign he sent me an e-mail yapping all the Michael Moore talking points about President Bush being a draft dodger because he was in the Air National Guard. I sent him back a blistering e-mail telling him how wrong he was and reminding him that neither he nor his friend Michael Moore had ever worn any kind of military uniform. Haven't heard any more from him.
My hubby was USAR, and they were pretty darned lax about drills and makeups. It's a good thing he's not running for public office!
(His records got burnt up in St. Louis anyhow.)