Officers Coming Out of Retirement?

Fox News | myself

[usual suspect]

Last night on Fox I saw in the scrolling news that retired military officers were offering to come out of retirement. This is significant, does anyone have any information?

[usual suspect]

I remember many Officers quitting in disgust and in protest of Bill Clinton and his policies. We certainly need these Officers and their leadership abilities along with their devotion to America.

[Keith in Iowa]

The crawl I saw on FoxNews mentioned NY Police retirees returning to duty - I don't know about military, but it would not suprise me if some military retirees who were beyond their inactive reserve status to re-up.

[usual suspect]

I stand corrected. But, the defection of hundreds of Patriotic Officers from the military through early retirement, or being forced out one way or the other is yet another example of the weakening of our military and intelligence by Clinton. I hope George W Bush can fix what is broken.

[AlaninSA]

You're actually not that far off, Keith. It's more than just police and firefighters who can come back. Many retired and former officers remain in the Individual Ready Reserve -- sort of a "first call" group to fill in holes in the mlitary. Some are there by choice (to continue earning retirement points while staying somewhat tied to the military), others are there to fill out the remainder of the standard eight year obligation. We used the IRR considerably during the Gulf War -- many of our battalion surgeons, dentists and clergy above battalion level come from IRR ranks in times of war. I would fully expect that (and I'm speaking as an IRR member, former active duty officer) we'll be seeing people in the IRR (including some retirees) recalled in the next few weeks. I'm both dreading and eagerly expecting that call. Don't want to leave the wife and kids alone, but realize that the best way to protect them and the nation may be to join in the defense of the country.

[Gorzaloon]

Did anyone see Stormin' Norman this week? He was in a towering apoplectic rage, and has "Unfinished Business" and a real grudge.

I would love to see him back, given the way he felt "We were suckered".

I bet there are a few extremists around the world who would empty their bowels in terror at the thought of him coming back MAD.

[AlaninSA]

My wife and I have talked about this a lot in the last few days and we've come to an agreement.

We simply have to beat the hell out of somebody every few years.

That's all there is to it. The US has a very powerful military that has to flex once in a while to ensure it's respected by other nations. Tossing a couple missiles at Serbs does not result in respect. Dropping a couple bombs on the Sudan does not result in respect.

Leveling Gaddaffi's beach house and killing his family resulted in him shutting up for 20 years.

[Amelia]

I know for a fact that there are a goodly number who are there right now, who are very thankful that it's Bush in the White House, not Gore or Clinton.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

I've been toying over the last few days with re-enlisting in the National Guard. I wouldn't have the patience to go through basic and AIT again, but I still know how to use the old M-203. 8^)

[AlaninSA]

To be honest, I'm not sure what the rule is for those who've completed their entire eight-year obligation and have been released from the IRR.

Not to be cheezy or melodramatic, but we're all going to be called on in this campaign.

Some of us will put our uniforms back on.

Some of us will dig through the rubble.

Some of us will provide political leadership.

Many of us will simply go about their lives -- going to the grocery store, work and church.

But each of these varied activities is important. Even those who don't deploy or get directly involved in rescue or security efforts will be contributing to national security. The simple actions that keep the economy going are crucial to defeating this enemy.

And you can't underestimate the statement you make by simply picking yourself back up and driving on with life.

[SamAdams76]

This is great news. Our military lost a lot of good men during the Clinton years. We could certainly use them today.

In addition, military recruitment is picking up as well. Tomorrow morning, WRKO radio in Boston will be having an on-air recruiting drive for the U.S. Marine Corps. It will be interesting to see how many recruits we can drum up in Boston tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.

[c. l. coffman]

Oh, I hope so!!!! Gen. Schwartzkopf is a fine patriot and American, plus has vast experience with the Middle East. He's just the kind of commander we need right now.

[FRMAG]

Well I can only give a noncom's opinion but officers are useless unless there are quality NCOs to run the show. I for one am a retired First Sergeant and volunteered to return to active duty first thing wednesday. Only waiting for the call now. I sincerely hope its a go.

[Real Cynic No More]

"Leveling Gaddaffi's beach house and killing his family resulted in him shutting up for 20 years."

Do we really know what he's been doing? He may have shut up publicly, but he could also be involved in these attacks.

[AlaninSA]

That's right on target.

I served in units that had top-notch NCOs and also in units where the NCO staff was pathetic. It takes good NCOs and good officers to run a decent unit. A good officer identifies the larger requirements. A good NCO provides the map to get the unit there.

[Eagle Eye]

To be honest, I'm not sure what the rule is for those who've completed their entire eight-year obligation and have been released from the IRR.

Qualifying as Prior Service, one must meet the same basic enlistment standards plus not have a disqualifying RE code (RE-4, 5, etc.) and meet TIS/grade requirements.

As with the Gulf War, we'll have bunches of over-the-hill, way too old guys come out of the woodwork to volunteer, knowing damn well that they are not going to be accepted. That gesture is as useful as one-eyed, one-legged vets volunteering.

Now for those guys recently released from IRR, regular ETS, or those on retirement status, that's different.

[HateBill]

I have been watching coverage non-stop, so I can't pinpoint where I heard this, but retired FBI agents are also returning to the job. (Heads up, Freeper Gary Aldrich!)

[Alas Babylon!]

I have some questions for all. I've been retired for 3 years now and am biting at the chomp to do something about this outrageous atrocity to our country. However, I'm concerned about my family and our economic situation. If I volunteer, vice being called up, will I be exempted from my finiancial obligations? I believe the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act of 1941 forbids creditors, especially my mortgage creditors, from forclosing my home loan in the event that I'm recalled. My mortgage is a complete refinance after I retired.

I make a lot of money now, what with my retirement check and my new salary. if I go back in, my income drops by 2/3rds. I could not afford to pay all my bills, and now I have a new baby, born AFTER I retired. Note that I don't care about losing my income, but I don't want to see my family hurt, and if we couldn't pay the mortgage lose our house.

Is anyone thinking about this, and do you have any answers? I am a retired E-8, still in good shape, and still having lots of good skills I acquired in the military. What do I do? Would my civilian job even still be open if I am recalled? What about if I volunteer?

[11Bush]

Go get em Top. If you have need of an over the hill ground pounder, give me the call!

I guess this is one that I'll have to sit and watch from a distance, but my prayers are with the men and women who may be called to give 'that last measure of devotion' to our country.

Molon Labe! and God Bless America!

[Joe 6-pack]

"...officers are useless unless there are quality NCOs to run the show."

You're right top...When I had my command I had three 1SGs...all eminently qualified, and all later selected for SGM/CSM. Made my life a whole lot easier...

[AlaninSA]

I'm one of those guys currently in the IRR.

I'm sure that the call ups will depend entirely on who we determine is at fault. That sounds sort of obvious, but there's more to it.

Afghanistan is a light fight that would, I expect, require troops like the 101st, 10th or 82d. An attack on Iraq is a heavy battle and would require the 1st, 3d or 4th IDs and 1CD. The call ups for Army IRR and USAR personnel would depend greatly on the nature of the battle. My experience is all in the heavy community - and that would be useless in Afghanistan.