Why not?

[Norm Sauceman]

I made the comment a while back and it got me to thinking..

I am all against our National Guardsmen and women going overseas to fight in a war. It is not what they signed up for (IMHO) and should not be made to go. Iraq has nothing to do with OUR Nation.

However, would they not be better suited in patroling our borders> I mean, why not put several bases from each state at our borders and patrol them like it was a war zone. Lock down the borders for good that way if you ask me. Then the National Guard would be serving our NATION on our nations soil which is what the NATIONAL guard should be doing...

Right?

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

Re: Why not?

I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. I'm not in the Guard, but I have several close friends that are and they've all been deployed to Iraq. They did join with the full realization that they could be sent to a war zone at any time. And, they've all had the proper training.

Now their primary function IS NOT to serve as combat troops, but rather as support staff. Maintenance, MP's, Supply, etc.

As to patrolling the borders - I'm OK with it, but there are a lot of potential problems since they have not been trained as border patrol agents. The quick version is that their training tells them to shoot anyone who shouldn't be there. I can see that causing real problems (from a PR standpoint) the first time a woman and her 3 kids get shot while trying to sneak in.

[popgun]

Re: Why not?

Mission Statement Army National Guard:

Provide highly trained, appropriately resourced and properly equipped professionals and unique services required to successfully meet state and federal missions worldwide.

Norm: How do you interpret this Mission statement? Doesn't it say "Worldwide"?

.....popgun

[Norm Sauceman]

Re: Why not?

Wellp...I guess I never read the mission statement... ..but it would be a good idea though... Why are the not called the Military support team then instead of the National guard? I would think the "National Guard" would do something like...hmmmm, I don't know...like GUARD OUR NATION????

[TreeStandBowHunter]

Re: Why not?

OH BOY...Here we go. I AGREE and DIS-AGREE on this one. Let's start with the AGREEMENT first: I AGREE NORM, We should use them HERE to guard OUR borders, I think they should be used to patrol our borders and airports keeping all ************************* out of our country. I think they ought to use them for all flights with their M-16's loaded. I think we should post them at every bridge in this country and when someone from a Terrorist known country, which pretty much makes up the whole mid-east, takes pictures, they should shoot them because they were probably planning a plot. I think we should use them all around our borders (with the exception of Canada of course ) and if anybody comes in, shoot them too.

Now to the DIS-AGREEMENT....Tell me Norm, in since I know you were one of the supporters of the IRAQ WAR, how do you suppose we fight this war? Our troops are stretched thin as it is, why can't we use them? Or should we make that regular member of the Military and regular units stay over there for 3 consecutive years! Is that what you would rather have then using your resources! That's what it would boil down too, thats one of the reasons they started to use them in the first place. SHORTAGE of REGULAR TROOPS Norm! SHORTAGE OF REGULAR TROOPS Norm! SHORTAGE OF REGULAR TROOPS Norm! You see where we are at right now Norm? Go down to Camp Lejeune sometime Norm, take a look around and ask, "Why are we using our Guardsmen".

[popgun]

Re: Why not?

I just thought I would throw this one in the mix.

U.S. Army Reserves:

The Army Reserve's mission, under Title 10 of the U.S. code, is to provide trained and ready Soldiers and units with the critical combat service support and combat support capabilities necessary to support national strategy during peacetime, contingencies and war.

The Army Reserve is a key element in The Army multi-component unit force, training with Active and National Guard units to ensure all three components work as a fully integrated team.

Enabling the Army to do more with fewer resources, by providing a flexible, well-trained, complementary force that can expand and contract to meet the specific needs and challenges of each new mission.

Training Soldiers at the highest possible level in one of nearly 200 specific skills in order to support the Army on any air, land or sea mission.

Maintaining a force that can mobilize rapidly and skillfully at any moment to respond to a crisis or situation, or to defend America's interests at home and abroad.

Building a stronger Army by drawing on the strength, support and success of all the diverse backgrounds and communities across America represented by the Soldiers in the Army Reserve.

Anticipating the ever-evolving needs of today's modern Army and helping it transform into a smaller, faster, stronger force while continuing to protect the nation's interests.

Implementing national objectives.

Keeping the Army mobile, efficient and complete by providing specialized technological and troop support when and where it's needed most.

Supporting national policies.

Preserving the peace and security, and providing for the defense of the United States, the Territories, Commonwealths and Possessions, and any areas occupied by the United States.

Overcoming aggressive acts from nations and terrorist groups that imperil the peace and security of the United States.

Giving back to the community by providing civil support, i.e. food, shelter, safe drinking water and medical attention to our citizens during emergencies and natural disasters.

**************************************

I think I might add here that if someone is desiring to join any of the military forces, reserve or active, they should be able to read and understand what they are signing up for.

We do not need the Reserves and National Guard, just to say we have them.

They are getting "paid" for weekend drills, two weeks training duty, and all active service when or if they are called.

They need to be ready.

If someone is not ready and willing to "serve", they simply shouldn't join.

Remember, It is all voluntary. .....popgun

[Norm Sauceman]

Re: Why not?

TSBH..to your question for me. The only reason we were "stretched" is because we have 500,000 troops supporting borders like South Korea and the likes. We should not even be over there IMHO. That is where our troops are being stretched. Guarding neutral zones that should be left alone. We have more than enough of our brave men out there doing penny annie treaty things being security guards.

I just think our National Guard should guard our National borders. I did not mean any disrespect al all toward our servicemen and women.. I just think we should have our military in the right areas. Know what I mean?

[Norm Sauceman]

Re: Why not?

No, I do not mean isolationism. I mean STOP the illegals from comming in. Guard the borders with an army and this illegal alien crap will stop. If you want to come or go to any country, YOU DO IT THE RIGHT WAY!!!!

"That's all I am saying about that"...Forrest Gump

[TreeStandBowHunter]

Re: Why not?

[ QUOTE ]

I did not mean any disrespect al all toward our servicemen and women

[/ QUOTE ]

None taken Norm, that wasn't my reasoning behind that.

I really don't know what else to say about this, I mean all I know is that WE ARE stretched THIN, at least on the Marine side of the house. People are going over to Iraq for their like 4-5th time and we are worried about using guardsmen. I mean I agree, they shouldn't be over there but we need them at this point and for a while too because as long as we are in that country over there, you are going to have insurgents going after us and as long as you have insurgents going after us, GWB says that we will remain in theater. So you figure it out. The Iraqi's will not be ready for a LONG TIME...TRUST ME. My job allows me to know a lot of things. Things I can disclose is things like the Iraqi Soldiers are going UA/AWOL left and right over there. Those freaks over there have a long way to go. You hear the good fights on the news that the Iraqi Army had, thats it. They don't tell you all the problems they are having with OVER 60% of them.

Also, where do you get the 500K number from. Must be from the Army because we hardly have any Marines anywhere else. I mean we do have a few...and I mean a FEW in Korea, we have our Marine Expeditonary Units out at sea ready for the 911 call, we have detachments here and there but guess what, everyone else is either in Afghanistan, Iraq or here holding down the fort. This was in the other week, 86% of Active Duty Marines have seen duty in Iraq. 86%!!! We have 175K active duty Marines. Do the numbers.

[wtnhunt]

Re: Why not?

[ QUOTE ]

They did join with the full realization that they could be sent to a war zone at any time. And, they've all had the proper training.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep. Send them wherever they are needed. On the borders, that would be great if we had a large enough number of active troops which we do not.

[7th]

Re: Why not?

Norm,

I forget the year now but I am thinking that it is about 320 something years, that the Guard has been serving the land and we was doing it long before any other branch of the militery. We all did this on our own, for what ever resone, serve our nation, college or just look good in a uniform? What ever but the first thing that we was told that we could and would be used in war as needed.

I served from '79 till '86 and after sending my baby to school this past year, could not set by and watch all the young men and women doing what I feel I should be doing, so I came back in a year ago to do what I can to keep the peace.

The biggest thing that I dis-agree with you is, I would rather go over there and keep them hopping there, then to have them here hitting us again like 11 Sep 2001.

This is my $.02 and glad that you can share yours with us. That is what the Guard has been standing for all through the years here.