I'm actually confused regarding the Marines doing recovery

[MsUSA]

work. I thought they were a fighting force....???? Like, shouldn't they be in Iraq??? and the reservists and guard doing the recovery type work?? I guess I never understood why it's the other way around. :shrug:

[rfranklin]

1. Our fighting forces must span the globe, making every corner of the...

world safe for corporate expansion. A little PR work is A-OK.

[bryant69]

3. Nice.

Can I presume that if we hadn't gone into help, DU would be castigating President Bush for failing to help out?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Avalux]

2. Well this way, the states can't fight back

In case there would ever be any sort of internal US conflict, the guard won't be able to do crap - they have no equipment either, all in Iraq. I'd like to see the numbers - how many state reservists and guardsmen are out of country compared to active duty military.

[SpiralHawk]

4. Hell, I thought the National Guard had something to do with protecting

America, and not foriegn invasion and Nation building and shit. But then the world has turned upside down since kOMMander AWOL got appointed pResident

[Coastie for Truth]

12. It takes Congress, the State Legislature, the Gov, and the Pres

to send the Guard outside of the US for disaster recovery.

[sarge43]

5. Bottom line, Guards are cheaper than the Reg and Reserve forces

They get few if any VA bennies nor are they entitled to the retirement bennies. In short, use 'em, use 'em up and then throw them away.

[stevekatz]

6. thats not true

You have no idea what your talking about

[sarge43]

10. Whatever

[Captain Hilts]

7. They do what they're told to do. They're called in to fight forest fires.

[annabanana]

8. I far prefer them doing this kind of work

than the other kind...
(regular, reserves... everybody)

[Coastie for Truth]

13. When I was on active duty

I preferred this kind of work to "bang bang - shoot em up" -- that's why I joined the Red Cross when I got out of the service.

[Coastie for Truth]

9. The "Regulars" (Army, Marines, Navy, AF, CG) are used because:

1. There are a lot of them - certainly more then Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross/Red Crescent, Salvation Army, Physicians without Borders.

2. They are young, healthy, and strong. The average Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross/Red Crescent, Salvation Army, volunteer is collecting Medicare and Social Security (like me).

3. They can work together - even in very large numbers - as a team - with a hierarchal command structure -- this is important

*
*
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL - THIS IS WHAT FEMA DID NOT DO AT KATRINA - AND THE ICS-NIMS FELL APART.ICS-NIMS IS SECOND NATURE TO POLICE, FIRE FIGHTERS, RESCUE MEDICS, AND MILITARY -- AND SOME RED CROSS AND SALVATION - AND TOTALLY FOREIGN TO LOTS OF OTHER "VOLUNTEERS."

4. The National Guard - which may have more "DISASTER" training then the Regulars or Reserves - require far more legalisms and bureaucracy to send outside the US. (Remember they are the Governor's Militia - not the President asset).

5. There are a lot of things to dislike and distrust Bush about - this is not one them.

I have been through hurricanes, earthquakes, torndoes, blizzards, and floods.

Coastie,
Lieutenant, United States Coast Guard (Honorably Discharged)

Red Cross Disaster Assistance Team Captain, Mass Shelter Manager

[leftofthedial]

11. the bush crime gang couldn't find its ass with both hands

when it comes to actual governance and policy

they don't give a shit

Marines, National Guard, middle class high school kids? They're all just meat for the grinder.

[greenisin]

14. Maybe Bushie is...

intentionally using the wrong tool for the job to make sure people don't get the help they need.

[Coastie for Truth]

15. The Highly Skilled Work

is "Urban Search and Rescue" - shoring up buildings to get the rescuers out, using the high tech sniffers, getting victims out without causing more injury, life support in highly confined spaces, etc.

USR capability exists in some Navy SeaBee Units, Army Engineer Units, and some Marine Combat Engineer units. It is the professional "stock in trade" of a significant fraction of specialized Fire Department companies (both paid and volunteer).

In a Mass Disaster, USR needs the support of lots of strong young people to provide the muscle.

When the inevitable "Big" earthquake hits (I live between the San Andreas and Hayward faults in a flood plain) - I will take a Fire Department or National Guard or Military "Urban Search and Rescue Team" over my good friends in our local progressive club.