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Reserves Chief Tells Troops To Enter Full War Mode; cancel training not related to the WOT
USA Today ^ | 09-15-03

Posted on 9/16/2003, 9:38:20 PM by Brian S

Edited on 4/13/2004, 8:41:10 AM by Jim Robinson. [history]

WASHINGTON

(Excerpt) Read more at usatoday.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: reservists; usarmy
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1 posted on 9/16/2003, 9:38:20 PM by Brian S
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To: Brian S
"We cannot afford unready dead wood," Helmly wrote.

I am glad this general is aware and serious.

2 posted on 9/16/2003, 9:48:17 PM by Mind-numbed Robot (Not all things that need to be done need to be done by the government.)
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To: Brian S
Oh, FRiend, I gotta play "Stop The Tape!" here:

Reserves chief tells troops to enter full war mode
By Dave Moniz, USA TODAY

First, this is GANNETT, for crissake.

Next, we're ALREADY in war mode.Anywhere from 30% to 50% of the Guard forces have contingents supporting the GWOT.

The 1.4 million-member active duty military is backed up by about 1.1 million National Guard and Reserve troops made up largely of part-time troops who typically train one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer.

Nothing mentioned about the COHORT training done with our active brothers, or the four 6-month tours which have become OJT for us.

The National Guard is a state and federal force with headquarters in all 50 states. The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Reserves are under the control of those branches.

All 50 states PLUS the territories and DC. And we're only Federal in DC; everywhere else, we're under the Governor. And the Reserves are NOT ours - they get their callups from Big Army. Perhaps that's where the farticle got the idea of "state and federal" from. But we guard Guys can't call up a Reserve unit; that only comes from Big Army.

3 posted on 9/16/2003, 9:52:15 PM by Old Sarge (Serving You... on Operation Noble Eagle!)
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To: Brian S
IMHO, it is way past time to bulk up our active duty forces. If reservists and guard members continue to be used this way it will destroy the guard and reserve system. Very few will join if they know they will be serving on active duty for years at a time and many are already leaving as soon as they can get out.
4 posted on 9/16/2003, 9:59:38 PM by MediaMole
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To: MediaMole
Great so my son just left for initial basic upon signing to a six year deal. (Army Nat'l Guard) From what I read his training (EMS, Medical) is on hold to be cannon fodder in Iraq. Given the sure reducation in new inductees, he could be looking at a full six year war tour.

I'm a novice at these things. Any thoughts, advise is appreciated....

5 posted on 9/16/2003, 10:37:04 PM by Swanks
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Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

To: GoOrdnance
Not any more. The IRR has a lot of education deferrments, but they also have a lot of single-field specialists. Most of those are already back in the line.

Only comment I have about recruiting is: Bah. Our manpower situation is adequate for now. It's not so much recruiting, as much as retention. And the retention rates are up there fairly high; no solid figures, mind you, but you can assume the high 70's for percentage; which is a wildly successful rate.

Bear also in mind, that the whole of the Active Force is not committed to the GWOT directly. Several divisions were involved in Iraq, but not the whole force.

But you're right, the next 12 months are going to be something to watch...

7 posted on 9/16/2003, 10:49:05 PM by Old Sarge (Serving You... on Operation Noble Eagle!)
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To: Swanks
From what I read his training (EMS, Medical) is on hold to be cannon fodder in Iraq

What exactly are you reading? If you're referring to this article, don't get too worked up yet (besides LTG Helmly is the Chief, Army Reserve, who has no business with how or who the National Guard deploys). One of the requirements to make any soldier, regardless of component (Active Duty or Reserve/Guard), deployable remains being qualified in the skill (MOS) that the soldier is supposed to be. He should at least attend basic and AIT before being deployed anywhere. If not, he has a legit argument for claiming that the Army National Guard failed to meet the terms of his contract.

8 posted on 9/16/2003, 10:50:17 PM by TADSLOS (Right Wing Infidel since 1954)
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To: Swanks
From what I read his training (EMS, Medical) is on hold to be cannon fodder in Iraq.

Given the situation, that was out of line; hopefully, your concern has caused you to toss that term out too freely.

Looks like the press has accomplished its mission.

9 posted on 9/16/2003, 10:52:08 PM by niteowl77 (If you haven't prayed for our troops, please start; if you stopped, then do some catching up.)
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To: Swanks
Get a grip!
10 posted on 9/16/2003, 10:54:22 PM by verity
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To: verity
I second that emotion. Get a grip!
11 posted on 9/16/2003, 11:18:30 PM by TheGunny
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Comment #12 Removed by Moderator

To: gpl4eva
IMHO, it is way past time to bulk up our active duty forces.

Is it correct to assume that everyone who wants to be in the military and qualifies is allowed in? if so, how do we 'bulk up' ?

It is a matter of recruiting and retention. Right now, the military has lower recruiting goals and can be pretty picky about who they take. If you don't meet certain educational standards, they won't take you. They can easily get more recuits if they need to, they have before.

The military has drawn down significantly since the late '80s. We have fewer ships, aircraft and units than we had then. My understanding is that some M-1 tank units have two tanks per crew, one for training and one for deployment. In addition, many specialties which were previously active duty have been transferred to the reserves.

Transferring duties to reserve units cuts costs during peacetime, but creates hardships during wartime. It is especially difficult during a long period of less than total war like the War on Terror, since only those in the military are making significant sacrifices.

13 posted on 9/17/2003, 12:20:57 AM by MediaMole
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To: gpl4eva
It's also time to start looking at all the folks on the retired list. Some are as young as 37, but lots are in their 40s. They know that they are liable for recall until age 60 (or is it 62?). They may be a bit long in the tooth for everyday fighting, but they could release a lot of troops from the training base.
14 posted on 9/17/2003, 12:51:01 AM by damper99
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To: Brian S

Oh Goody!! Does this mean we can jettison "Consideration of Others and Sensitivity training in favor OF MORE AMBUSH AND COUTEAMBUSH drill?
15 posted on 9/17/2003, 12:58:50 AM by DMZFrank
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Comment #16 Removed by Moderator

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Comment #18 Removed by Moderator

To: GoOrdnance
Interesting. When I was in (early 90's) the IRR was comprised mostly of those who had done their 2 or 3 year active duty stints and were simply serving out their remaining contract time (which was a mandatory 8 years).

Depends on how the individual's contract falls out. I was IRR myself, from '91 tolate '97. Because of my single-area specialty (Imagery Intelligence) I was on callback for most of that time, as an IMA (individual Mobilization Augmentee).

I spent six years on IRR and my only obligation was to contact the personnel office if I changed my address.

Had to do the same thing.

Like I said, it depended on the person involved. We've got a lot of guys with unique skills who came out of limbo to rejoin the fight. Medics, Intel, a lot of guys that did nasty things in the wilderness.

19 posted on 9/17/2003, 8:27:07 PM by Old Sarge (Serving You... on Operation Noble Eagle!)
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To: GoOrdnance
they are reporting in North Carolina that the Governor has less than 50% of the national guard available for callup to deal with the hurricane, as the majority of the Guard is in Iraq.

Alls I can say is, those figures are in the ballpark.

We've got a significant pool to draw from for MSCA missions like this one. Not everyone's across the pond - the unit mix for the War doesn't call for it.

20 posted on 9/17/2003, 8:36:21 PM by Old Sarge (Serving You... on Operation Noble Eagle!)
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