[AnAmericanMother]

My dad was out of the Reserves by the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis (Reserve meetings conflicted with choir practice. Priorities. :-D ) But as he says, "if you're an officer, they can ALWAYS get you back." He and his buddies were ready if needed. You could not buy a round of ammunition or any reloading components anywhere in GA. Dad and the other ex-Army guys bought up every grain of powder and every primer between Cloudland Canyon and Tybee Light.

I wasn't scared then - dad is the sort of guy who inspires confidence (something about being a Combat Engineer in WWII I guess, they believe they can do anything and you believe them too.) I really wasn't too scared in '73 either, because I married a guy who is much the same (even though he was Chemical Corps instead of Engineers.)

[OldFriend]

Your dad is correct. They can always call you back if your particular expertise is needed.

Very few of those IRR called back have requested an exemption.

During the first Gulf War a neighbor went back who was an engineer in his 50s.

[happygrl]

Wow. I'd like to think that they are enough men who would do the same today, i.e. be prepared to fight as an insurgency for their homes and families.

I had never heard about THAT aspect of the Misslies of October.