Army bringing back retirees-Colorado Guard suggests bounty for recruitment

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.news-leader.com/today/0113-Armybringi-274066.html

Published January 13, 2005

Army bringing back retirees

More than 500 former soldiers, mid-40s and older, may volunteer this year to serve in Iraq.

By Gregg Zoroya
USA Today

Washington — The Army, stretched thin by the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, is dipping into one of its last resources for wartime duty: retirees on a military pension.

The Army is expanding a little-known program to bring back retired officers and enlisted soldiers who expressed a willingness to join again, particularly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

At least 320 retirees signed up last year under this program. Probably more than 500 will go back on active duty this year, says Lt. Col. Karla Brischke, an Army personnel manager. Ages range from mid-40s to late 60s and possibly older, and each has at least 20 years of military service.

"It doesn't mean that we're scraping the bottom of the barrel," says Lt. Col. Bryan Hilferty, a spokesman for the Army personnel department. "It means that we're doing a prudent thing with American resources."

more

http://www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1305366&secid=1

Jan. 12, 2005

Colorado Guard suggests bounty for recruitment


By TOM ROEDER - THE GAZETTE

Recruiting has gotten so difficult for the Colorado Army National Guard that commanders want to offer $200 bounties to guardsmen who get their friends to sign up.

Since October, the Guard has brought in about half the recruits it needs to maintain ranks and be ready for war.

The problem is twofold, said Lt. Col. Michael Stowell, who heads recruiting and retention for the Colorado Guard. First, experienced soldiers who were sent to Iraq have been quitting after they return. Second, would-be recruits are scared off by the prospect of spending a year in a war zone.

“What we’re telling people is the likelihood of being deployed if you enlist is pretty high,” Stowell said. “It’s not so much of a what if, but a when.”

more

[aikido15]

1. Whatever!

"It doesn't mean that we're scraping the bottom of the barrel," says Lt. Col. Bryan Hilferty, a spokesman for the Army personnel department. "It means that we're doing a prudent thing with American resources."

:eyes:

[saigon68]

7. Hello Bottom Meet BARREL

What ever is right !!!! these people are going to be a nightmare for the VA when they get out. Talk about a goldmine of service connected disabilities. They will never go into combat ---they will be sorting paperclips at the Pentagon.

[Saintgermane]

17. Actually....

..you're guilty of sterotyping. I am a retired infantry captain, retired of all four months, in pristine physical condition. (I am a retired as a captain as I became an officer after ten year's service as an enlisted man)

There is some truth to the sterotype, however, many of us carry the discipline of fitness and diet well into our later years. I work with a retired colonel who IS in his 50's, and he is also in excellent physical condition.

Further, I work at a bank now, at a large army post - and I can tell you I am in at least as good shape as most of the soldiers I see every day, and far better physical condition than most....

I have been contacted regarding this recall program. I have no idea yet, what the assignment would be. It is a difficult choice, regardless, as I am morally opposed to this war (and have been since before it started - you should have heard some of the arguments I provoked), but I have maturity and skills that could be brought to bear tempering the actions of any unit to which I might find myself assigned.

SG

[LynnTheDem]

2. "mid-40s to late 60s and possibly older"

Pardon my French but...JEBUS FUCKING CRIPES!

[Lautremont]

3. I'm picturing Grandpa Simpson, Jasper and the Crazy Old Man

all kitted out in their WWII gear and being approached by Iraqi insurgents. "Why you punks!"

It would be over pretty quick, at least.

[mikeytherat]

16. Well, they can't bust heads like they used to...

...but they do have their ways. One of them is to tell stories that don't go anywhere. Like the time back in '24 when I went to Shelbyville, which was called Morganstown back then. You see, I needed a new heel for my shoe...

mikey_the_rat

[SKKY]

4. I knew Bush had a pretty evil plan to ease the burden on Social Security..

...but damn! I didn't know it was like that.

[LynnTheDem]

5. LOL!!!

Very funny...in a nasty kinda way. Ain't that bush to a T. We none of us would be shocked if bush actually said that was his plan, would we. How fucking sad is that.

[Sgent]

6. Older....

I would guess most of the oldest people (65+) are extremely experienced in their field. For instance a local surgeon who retired from private practice about 3 years ago and is 70 was called up/volunteered.

He was a war-time surgeon during Vietnam and one went to various installations to teach treatment of shrapnel wounds and certain tramaus. He is still in excellent health, and performs emergency rotations and does some clinical work in the area.

[Swamp Rat]

8. "... we're doing a prudent thing with American resources."

Sick!

Wake up grandpa! Time to go back to war. The Kowboy King say so...

[Technowitch]

9. "In a related story, U.S. Armed forces anounces Operation "TotSoldier"

"Indeed, we feel that the under 12-years-old age group to be a vast, untapped reservoir of talent," reported an anonymous Administration spokesman who nevertheless refused to go on the record. "I mean, have you seen these kids on skateboards? Or with a PS2 box? Now then, couple that with the old adage about 'giving me a child by six'--and well, we have tomorrow's fighting forces, here today!"

When asked for comment, Tommy Haskins, 8 years old, Billings Montana, responded, "The weaps are pretty cool, but seriously the 'tude on some of those DIs is harsh. This s*** keeps up, and I'm going back to GTA, if I can get my mom to give me back the disc."

[SoCalDem]

10. America. home of the Gray Soldier

This is downright shameful. Whether they want to re-up or not, it's a horrible "solution". It shows the rest of the world that we are so lacking in volunteers, that we must dust the cobwebs off the old soldiers.

I am not saying that they "cannot" do it.. they "should not" do it.

We will be laughed at more than we already are. Our "enemies" have no trouble recruiting the young men of their countires, and yet we must drag out these oldies to fill out the ranks of our invading forces..

[Cooley Hurd]

13. Hitler conscripted the very old and the very young...

...towards the end.

Bush is not Hitler, so stop saying that...:grr:

[pinniped]

11. Yes, the elite of the elite have arrived.

Draft, never heard of it.

[hadrons]

12. $200 bounties ... to sell out your friends ....

typical Repuke move (and one they would do)

[Historic NY]

14. Gee even Judas got more money...........n/t

[Historic NY]

15. My niece who is overseas warned her father not to fall for this deal....

can't you just see an army of pot bellied, overweight, middle aged men all with various shades of grey or no hair......New strategy to laugh the insurgents from the field of battle.

[Moderator]

18. duplicate topic, please discuss here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1146379