Guard, Reserve troops await Iraq call-up

[rainbow4321]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ_SOLDIERS_WAITING?SITE=TXSAE&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


The Lackeys live in suburban Chicago, but their story could be told from anywhere in the country. As accounts of the war and the soldiers fighting there dominate the headlines, there is a quieter story for more than 1 million National Guard and Reserve troops - waiting and wondering if they'll be sent to Iraq. Or sent back.


They've put their lives on hold, put off college, buying homes and cars, knowing they could join nearly 186,000 of their Guard and Reserve colleagues now on active duty, more than 60,000 of whom are in Iraq or Afghanistan. They've said their goodbyes only to be told at the last minute they're not going anywhere - not yet, anyway - as their families brace for their deployment.

<snip>
A couple months before the unit was to leave, though, Comeaux found out he wasn't leaving because "there wasn't enough slots at my rank for me to go with my battalion". After being told he was next up if someone of his rank needed to be replaced, he found out he would not be going at all. Then, almost as soon as he told his 13-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter that he was staying home, he started hearing that he might be deployed after all.

The wait is tougher for many because they are afraid to make long-term plans. Lackey has delayed enrolling in Western Illinois University as well as buying a car. And Comeaux doesn't bother looking for another place to live yet. Some, like Corey Wilson, try to make plans. They just keep getting interrupted.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. the stress of not knowing

or knowing you're going to be stuck in Iraq for who knows how long has got to be terrible for these people.

[flamingyouth]

2. The waiting is horrible

I know a guy who's over in Iraq right now. In fact, he's in Mosul and either by a miracle or the world's most amazing stroke of luck, missed being at lunch the other day when the bombing occured there.

I hold all of our soldiers overseas in my heart now. Not knowing if my friend was okay for almost three days was terrible. We finally heard from him yesterday - the best Christmas present ever.

[lovuian]

3. This just shows you there is alot more reservists and Nationa Guard

who haven't been called up. So Bush does have more troops at his command!!! Also I think a bunch of reservists are lost in the system and just waiting for them to find them. So they are on hold too.

Its so sad!!!

[MichiganVote]

5. There are more regular army they could call than Res. or Guard

[adadem]

4. my nephew

shipped out last week...in Kuwait now...into Iraq any day. Leaving behind a wife and two beautiful little boys.

If anything happens to him our family will hold bush responsible...forever.