[68skylark]

There are some amazing stories of the National Guard in combat. Unfortunately, the press never reports them much. One of the best stories I know is from Vietnam, and the "Delta Rangers" from the 1-151st Infantry, Indiana Army National Guard. This unit is fantasitc -- one of the best in the world. Some paratroopers from this unit are on duty now.

Four members of Company D made the supreme sacrifice on Ranger missions, with two additional deaths resulting from a helicopter crash. Indiana Rangers were decorated 538 times in Vietnam. 19 Silver Stars, 1 Soldiers Medal, 123 Bronze Stars (88 with "V" device for valor), 101 Purple Hearts,111 Air Medals and 183 Army Commendation Medals (29 with "V" device for valor) were awarded for valor and achievement. No other single Army Infantry company was as decorated during a one-year period of time as the Indiana Rangers.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/1-151in.htm

[SoCal Pubbie]

There have been many such stories here and elsewhere over the years. My point is that at some point, a volunteer MUST also know about them, and know a call up for war may one day come.