If the National Guard and reservists are carrying the load for
40% of the fighting in Iraq, why are they not represented in
the upper Escalon?
It's not like the guard or reserves when GWB was
in, they are carrying the load. Why aren't they represented?
I talked with a Sgt. Major in the Guard today and he raised the
question…I agreed.
The guys carrying the load should be respected! They are
paying the dues in our casualty reports. That deserves power
in budgeting and equipment.
These guys wear as many Combat Infantry Badges as the
regulars. Time for equality.

I don't get your point. Through the chain of command, their titular head is each chief of staff in their respective branch.

They get the hand-me-downs in equiment and
are often those who get extensions without
input, according to my sources.

I hear they are tired of getting second-hand
representation when their dues are so high.

They remind me of the draftees, who I hold close,
I was one. They lose jobs, get less benefits.

I admire them...titular? How about factual.

What do you mean they are getting the second hand equipment? Is that what that soldier meant when he questioned Rummie? (Not the second guy who elaborated on having to dig through junkyards, but the other guy).

Fill us in.

I'm told they are awaiting the latest M-16 while
the regulars are tired of the second generation
assault rifle, M-4 or something like that.

While standing shoulder to shoulder they are dealing
with high ranking officers who still see them as second class.

They aren't second class. I'd stand with NGs today
as soon as RAs.

Louisiana 21 KIAs
Albany Persing, Charles C. "C.C." Private 1st Class 19-Jul-2004
Baton Rouge Barnett, Christopher W. 1st Lieutenant 23-Dec-2004
Baton Rouge Kirk, Jeffrey L. Sergeant 12-Dec-2004
Bossier City Nelson, Craig L. Specialist 29-Dec-2004
Columbia Dantzler, Torey J. Private 1st Class 22-Jul-2004
Covington McLeese, Justin D. Lance Corporal 13-Nov-2004
Jeanerette Ayro, Lionel Private 1st Class 21-Dec-2004
Kaplan Mallet, Toby W. Staff Sergeant 09-Apr-2004
Lafayette Burridge, David Paul Private 1st Class 06-Sep-2004
Lafayette Thibodeaux III, Joseph C. Specialist 01-Sep-2004
Lake Charles Bellard, Wilfred Davyrussell Private 1st Class 04-Apr-2003
Mandeville DuSang, Robert L. Specialist 30-Jun-2004
Mount Hermon Wells, Larry L. Lance Corporal 06-Aug-2004
New Orleans Heines, Jeremy M. Specialist 26-Jun-2004
New Orleans Lambert, James P. Private 1st Class 25-May-2004
New Orleans Williams, Taft V. Sergeant 12-Aug-2003
Olla Knighten Jr., Floyd G. Sergeant 09-Aug-2003
Opelousas Davis, Craig Staff Sergeant 08-Jan-2004
Shreveport Barnhill, Edward C. Command Sergeant Major 14-May-2004
Tickfaw Kinchen, Levi B. Specialist 09-Aug-2003
Unknown Jones, Gussie M. Captain
WHILE THEY AREN'T LISTED BY UNIT, I KNOW 2/3 ARE NG AND RESERVES
THAT TALKS TO ME. I HAVE TO BE DOWN WITH THE CASUALTIES.

It seems to be that NONE OF OUR SOLDIERS are getting the equipment they should be. Perhaps we should cut back on HALIBURTON'S NO BID FEES and tell them to take the contract on our terms or screw it---and spend the money on equipment for our soldiers.

It's not right that ANY of them are being thrown to the wolves this way. I read today, one contractor got half a million to rebuild a $50,000 house! This is obscene.

That's the point...whether we support the war or not...
we should support the guys dying. Profiteering is unacceptable.

Why are we dying supporting appointed election officials?

Let us die for a mission. That's not too much to ask.

Y’all are so nice and political it’s hard to be
so out of line, and military.

But, I’m sick and tired…of our boys dying
without a cause.

Expecting a withdrawal and an excuse.

How do you talk to the Gold Star Moms…
the wives, the children?…dying is permanent…
debate is transient.

There are boys and girls dying…somebody get
indignant! The CIBs cry out! Combat infantry
is not collateral…it’s damned well honorable…
or should be…if God is our judge!

I try to speak for the troops...is Larry King
and Paula Zhan more applicable?

To hell with it...I'm gona rant...heros...mistaken...
mislead...but heros... are dying...f*ck debate...
let's die together...feel it...or talk politics. FTA.

In the sand and heat, they deserve my interest,
my weak words. My brothers...I die with you.

I believe this article was out a week or so after Mr. Wilson from here in Chattanooga asked Rummy about the armor and he got all the hassle (Mr. Wilson).

http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...366/1002/NEWS01

Warning: it will piss you off.

But if they get representation they might ask questions loud enough that people will figure out that the answers are BS! This administration learned a lesson from VVAW, make sure the ones you send come back without a voice, they won't even let the dead speak by having their coffins shown. Punks will always be punks, they'll only consider things when they know they've already lost. How do we work this issue into our protests and message? If people are going to have to come back with a thousand yard stare they deserve to be heard.

I'll write to my elected officials and the media, but I want us to be able to do more.

In response to being represented through chain of command, the brass isn't guard or reserve, it isn't their main concern. Massa votes for you, you count as 3/5 of a person, be happy letting your owner vote for you! If guard and reserve are going to be used as active duty they deserve EXACTLY the same representation!

Posted this on "The Commoner"

http://cgcs.spacend.info/modules.php?op=mo...order=0&thold=0

As a former National Guardman I think you have a brilliant point. The Guard units are supposedly the replacement for the former states' militias (although in reality that is a crock) and should therefore be treated differently than the Reserve units IMO and be given their own JCS rep. that would represent the Governors. In reality right now there's little difference between the Reserve and the Guard once the Guard units are "Federalized" and there really should be.

JamBoi

The NG troops have historically been some of the most effective, probably because they generally are more seasoned and have families to come home to and don't want to throw their lives away on heroics. So even though we get second class equipment we have first class combat effectiveness generally.

JamBoi

There was a report on World News Tonite with Peter Jennings, looked for the text on ABC website and couldn't find the feature I heard, there was a favorable one about establishing community health centers where the casaulties can receive med treatment nearer home. But what I heard were a couple of Guardsmen relating how they have been mistreated by the system since returning wounded.
This is shameful. I have maintained for quite some time that iit is dishonorable the way the Guard and Reserves are being exploited by the administration and Pentagon.

GRRRR.