Army Reserve fears troop exodus

[UpInArms]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-09-29-reserves_x.htm

If the United States is unable to recruit significantly more international troops or quell the violence in Iraq in the next few months, it could trigger an exodus of active and reserve forces, the head of the U.S. Army Reserve said Monday.

Lt. Gen. James Helmly, chief of the 205,000- member Army Reserve, said he and other Pentagon leaders will be monitoring retention rates closely next year, when problems could begin to become apparent for full-time and part-time soldiers coming off long tours of duty in Iraq.

"Retention is what I am most worried about. It is my No. 1 concern," Helmly told USA TODAY's editorial board. "This is the first extended-duration war the country has fought with an all-volunteer force."

...more...

[MattNC]

1. cue the draft is coming back posts

n/t

[Jacobin]

23. They were already talking about it on CNN this morning

It's coming. But it won't be called the draft. Just as Colin said Iraq wasn't "nation building", this won't be the "draft", it will be "Mandatory Freedom Service" or some such BS.

[olmy]

24. "The Select Hero Service"...Balls pulled from barrell on Fox

[MattNC]

27. so b/c CNN said it's gonna happen

it's gotta be true

[nocreativename]

41. nah I bet

instead of a draft they will form a private army. I can see the T.V. ads now; “Hi I'm Dick Cheney, CEO of Killers incorporated, pesky terrorists or crazy eyed war lords bothering you? We have the all the men and weapons needed to free your people. “

[grytpype]

2. "This is the first extended-duration war the country has fought with an...

... all-volunteer force."

How nice. It's an experiment. Hope it works out.

[lebkuchen]

3. There are lots of militia in the US that would sign up, right?

Sure, they have beer bellies out to here, but they love wearing camo gear and carrying a machine gun. Surely they'll sign up.

[Girlfriday]

4. Yeah, they're just hard to tell apart,

they're all named Bubba.

[gratuitous]

5. Terrorists and enemies, please don't read this

Sure, we're overextended right now, sending the troops off hither and yon to fight Lil George's battles against imaginary enemies to secure very real oil reserves, but please don't take advantage of the situtation, okay? Pretty please? I mean, an attack or a real threat right now would be more than we could handle, and just because an incompetent nincompoop stole his way into office and launched a couple of illegal invasions is no reason the citizens of the U.S. should be made to suffer. Right?

Lordy, but we're set up for the screw job of all time.

[maxanne]

6. my best friend's sister

thinks she'll be called up in January. She's an engineer, with a specialty in road building.

Hold Carrie in your prayers, please.

[Robin Hood]

11. I'm sorry to hear that.

She will be in my prayers.

[drewb]

12. I just got out of a Combat Engineer Company (H).

I was fortunate enough to have an ETS date that allowed me to see the writing on the wall and get out...

Hope she is able to do the same...

[Mal]

16. Maybe she should be saying her prayers

somewhere in Canada.

[northernsoul]

36. I'm worried about my kid brother

He's been on active duty stateside for a year now in a Guard Unit that's backstopping the 4th ID. I wouldn't be surprised if his unit will be the next lucky winners to roll into Baghdad.

Palms to the sky for all his old buddies in the 4th ID over there right now. Be safe, Sgt. Luna.

[bobthedrummer]

7. Exodus, movement of Jah people

anywhere but there...

[Barrett808]

8. "extended-duration war"

Very telling.

[RamboLiberal]

9. I was just reading the 9/21-27 Stars And Stripes Letters

And it is just loaded with letters from National Guard and Reserve soldiers who are pissed!

Excerpts:

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=17774

The Reserve component program will be severely crippled in six years, if not totally dead. America was founded to provide the freedom of voice and with the integrity to speak our differences.

Sgt. John A. Krum
Kuwait

We have reservists who are losing jobs, houses and even families. Reservists are different. This is not an “Army of One.” Unlike active-duty soldiers, we can’t ETS or PCS from here. A Washington Post story said that there’s not a retention problem in the Reserve or Guard. Of course there isn’t. We can’t leave! Reservists and guardsmen still in the states will of course sign back up because they’re still going to school, to their real jobs and home to their families.

Shantaya Haines
Iraq

Did I mention that our unit has 20 soldiers who have ETS dates and can’t go home because they are international guardsmen? And we don’t get to go back home to attend any kind of military schools because — you guessed it — we’re international guardsmen, trying to suck it up and drive on.

Spc. Ron Huffman
Iraq

We’re a Reserve unit that will have been active for 18 months by the time we actually return home. As a result, many of my fellow troops are getting out and not re-enlisting. Many have full-time jobs and careers back home with bills that we can’t afford to pay off with our new reductions in salary. We don’t agree with the decisions of Congress. This has affected soldiers’ families, lives, financial situations and especially their morale. We realize that many are in the same exact situation. But we’re just asking everyone to join us in prayer for a quick and safe return home.

Spc. Timothy Garfat
Iraq

President Bush is misleading Americans about the reasons for invading Iraq. Hundreds of U.S. soldiers are dead and many more wounded. Our soldiers are fighting to defend each other, but not truly fighting to defend America, and America is what they signed up to defend. Why then are our soldiers dying, if not to protect America?

James Carrethers
Germany

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. The army will loose the reserve

component what is next? A Draft? I am not kidding

[dbt]

13. Wow!

How long do you suppose General Helmly will keep his job? Ain't what he said treason in Murka these days?

:evilgrin:
dbt

[SoCalDem]

14. Help is on the way

[tlcandie]

22. OMG!! Absolutely hilarious!!! :D

:hi: Thanks!!!

[goforit]

30. LOL!!!!...............Too funny!!!!

We need a little cheering up amongst all the misery.

[symbolman]

38. Tahiti!!

Why wasn't I notified! Hey, we're selling the house and moving to Maui -- I want to be somewhere where I can grow my own food all year long, everyone knows each other and protects, respects each other and if the US gets any more fucked (as in Bush "re-election") due to the content of our Take Back the Media website, maybe I can go Beg for Political Asylum in Tahiti :)

I'm actually serious.

Let me know what the feeling is over there, eh?

And as far as the Draft goes, been there done that, and did this flash movie more than a month ago -- http://www.takebackthemedia.com/onearmy.com

this needs to be on TV and is IN production, looking for song rights, hardest part..

Have FUN SoCal, I know you will..

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

39. Bad link

http://www.takebackthemedia.com/onearmy.com gives me a 404.

[trogdor]

15. Well, DUH!

I wouldn't mind getting called up to do some worthwhile mission; that's part of being a Reservist. I do mind getting called up for bullshit like the current fustercluck in Iraq, which was entirely UNNECESSARY and entirely FRAUDULENT.

Getting my ass shot off for my country is one thing, getting my ass shot off for Bechtel, Halliburton, Brown & Root, and Exxon/Mobil is quite another.

I, for one, am watching the mailbox for my 20-year letter.*



*for non-Reservists, a 20 year letter is the document that confirms that you are eligible to retire - your ticket outathere! Most go to the "retired reserve" to get an extra 15 points a year and a bigger retirement check at age 60. I will opt for a discharge instead.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

18. I expect the wingnuts to start calling traitors...

...anybody who says anything to discourage people to sign up / reenlist.

[PaDUer]

19. The wingnuts are

shitting in their pants, they're not happy..the other day I read their posts, and there's NOT too many who are "ready" to go anywhere..don't worry, shit will hit the fan IF and WHEN they start the drafty opendoor..

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

20. When I said wingnuts I meant...

...the frothing-at-the-mouth, safe-from-draft media pundits, not real flesh-and-blood people who by misfortune had their brains reprogrammed by the RW. You did a nice job showing the difference between those two groups. :thumbsup:

[trogdor]

31. As a certain MD from Vermont said once...

...if that's what it means, then sign me up.

[PATRICK]

17. someone heard the "D" word

being dropped by the WH on the radio- or maybe it was this story. Dsitraction from Bush's troubles while he has no fear of not getting-elected. Too bad he can't reassure his whole party he can cheat his way all the way.

[JHB]

21. Lt. Gen. Helmly left out a part...

"This is the first extended-duration war the country has fought with an all-volunteer force." for bullshit reasons, no planning, and rampant cronyism at the top.

If there were a real emergency and the President (note the capital P to signify a different, hypothetical C-i-C) asked for the whole country to sacrifice to support it, that would be different. Instead, they're getting a lesson in Bush Politics: public service is for chumps. Either make it pay for you, or get rid of it.

[Wickerman]

25. Ya think?

Lets se, join the Reserves, a month in the summer, a few weekends - school is paid for!
Suddenly, your off to Iraq, your friends die. Not what you sign up for. Then, your tour is extended to a year. Mail sucks, there is no water, the food isn't delivered. Hell, the war isn't JUST. If you wanted that shit you could've gone active.

Oh yeah, recruitment is gonna go thru the roof!

[Bandit]

26. I am an employer and I will not hire a Reservist or National Guard person

I always felt it a very good thing to have a National Guard in case of State emergencies like earthquake or flood but after the abuse and misuse of our guard units I can no longer take the risk that my employee will be gone for an undetermined period of time. I am not in a position to hold a job vacancy for anyone. It is one thing to have to let them go for a two week period in the summer but the way it is now I just can't take the risk. Sorry folks but that is the way it is. Reservists and National Guard need not apply. I realize I can not make that a public stance but it is the truth.

[goforit]

29. Amazing how life and attitudes have changed under these thugs.

I can not blame you. Now if it were a war worth fighting for
other than padding Cheney's wallet then maybe people would
be more supportive.

[LizW]

33. You're not alone

My best friend's husband (a Reservist) was laid off from his regular job right before the war started. He's been looking for other employment for months, but not surprisingly, has not been hired. Needing a better source of income, he recently transferred to a unit that was being activated. He leaves for the Middle East shortly.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

34. Some options for your friend's hubby

[inthecorneroverhere]

35. You are guilty of discrimination

I am against the war in Iraq.

I am ALSO against discrimination in employment.

You are violating the law of the land.

You are taking UNFAIR ADVANTAGE of this nation's high unemployment rate to discriminate against a class of job-seekers, National Guard & Reservists.

That is not only illegal, but it is also immoral and unjust.

Sincerely,

your friend 'inthecorner'

Disclaimer: neither I, nor any immediate relatives are currently in any branch of U.S. military service or reserve. No one in my immediate family has seen military service since World War II.

[loudsue]

37. Small businesses can't afford to do ANYTHING extra, anymore

since the huge corporations are pushing out all the small businesses.

Good luck with your business in these trying times!

:kick:

[happyslug]

42. That is ILLEGAL

But there are ways to do it. First NEVER say you will NOT hire a Reservists (just like some employers never say they will not hire a black). If you SAY you hire a reservist (but never do) the burden is on the person applying to show that you never do. The Supreme Court has ruled that statistics can NOT be used to show discrimination, you have to have actual EVIDENCE of discrimination. The mere fact you employ 100% non-reservists (or 100% whites in an area that is 20% black) is not PROOF of discrimination. Cover your ass, say the right words "I Support our troops".

Second, while it is illegal for you to ask if someone is a reservist, but you can ask "Can you work EVERY weekend" and if he (or she) says NO, than you have a potential reservist. If he (or she) says yes, than they can not be in the reserves (Blacks complain of this all the time, the application does not ask their race, but it is hard for a black person to pass as white). This is how people discriminate against the Handicap also, i.e. put in Job requirements that technically are NOT needed, but can be justified for "business reasons" i.e. "I want to see how much weekend business I can get". The Courts have upheld any "business reason" you can come up with as long as it sounds reasonable on its face.

Third, if you find someone who is your employee who is a Reservist DO NOT TELL HIM TO QUIT (That is illegal) just have Saturday or Sunday hours that he can NOT do and his fellow employees will put pressure on him to quit. They would like to have a weekend off also (When I was in the Guard that is what my one boss did to me, it was ALL actions from my co-workers who complained of having to cover for me on my drills.). And I was employed by a LARGE corporation Not a small business.

[goforit]

28. This is a perfect example of lack of leadership in the WH.

Bush, Rummy and Chenney are having problems leading the troops.

Just read in the NYT that their were two more Ambushes on our
troops again in Iraq.
This certainly could be messier than Vietnam given time.


When are these thugs gonna start eating their own.

[Greyskye]

32. But wait, there's more...

I have a friend who is currently finishing up his tour in the Air Force. With any luck, he should be home by the end of October. He was planning on joining the Reserves as a hedge against the economy. When I mentioned in an email a week or so ago that there were growing reports of Reservists being called up to serve in the Middle East on an increasing basis in the future, he wrote back and told me that he had already changed his mind.

From his email: There is more that you may not know too. They are reducing the size of the active Air Force by 18,000 members and who do you think will pick up the slack? Not me, that's who. They are sending reserves out to the desert for 6 months to a year <...> So screw it.

[flamingyouth]

40. On Yahoo's front page now

Rate this a 5, people!!!