[Protagoras]

The men and women who have volunteered to join the National Guard understand that they may be called up in times of war or national/state crisis. The infantry expected to called up to fight as infantry. The armor expect to be called up to fight in tanks. No one joined to be called up as a long term glorified security guard.

Soldiers are soldiers first. That's why they go through basic training before advanced individual training.

The point was made in a line from a recent movie. ( of all places) When informed by one of his men that an attack on a machine gun nest was not their mission, the captain informed him that their mission was to win the war. Just a line from "Saving Private Ryan", but true nonetheless.

The mission of our Military is to defend us from all enemies, foreign or domestic. This qualifies.

If the mission changes to providing private security on a long term basis, that would be a different question. I'll bet you anything you want to bet that this will not be the case.

[2banana]

See above link #3 to what our Senators are proposing (make the Guard into a long term security force)

[7thson]

I agree with you. And a word for all other Freepers. When you are in the airports and see the NG, give them a thumbs up, a salute, anything to let them know that you appreciate them being there. My wife and I did this past weekeng.