[GraniteStateConservative]

I'm talking about those who are already in the field being asked to do more service than they would be expected to do. Longer terms, shorter breaks. That's not shirking a responsibility. They signed up with the understanding that their committment was lesser than people in the army, for example. They are being used in much the same way as the army and they and their families don't understand why they were mislead. The reason for it is that we have drawn down our active military and for political reasons-- the headcount number is always an easy stat in news stories. I applaud your service and am not suggesting any trait that would be unadmirable.

[68skylark]

I think I see your point, and it's nice you to be concerned about reservists and their families.

I cannot swear to the mindset of most of those who joined the Guard and reserve. For me, I joined with the understanding that I could be called when the country has a need -- just as Guardsmen have been called on since the 1600's. I was in the Guard back in the bad old days when the Guard was starved for a mission, starved for funds, and starved for respect. If an expansion of the active duty force is just a way to take money and missions from the Guard without good reason, I'm vigorously against it.

[gcraig]

They are being used in much the same way as the army and they and their families don't understand why they were mislead.

We are at war. That's the reason why. I have yet to meet a family that doesn't understand that.