Army's Top General Concerned About Strain Of Wars On National Guard And Their Families

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The Pentagon is asking National Guard troops and their families to make sacrifices like never before in Iraq and other hot spots, the Army's chief of staff told a conference bringing together citizen-soldiers from across the country.

Gen. George Casey – and others at the three-day gathering that ended Monday – acknowledged that the Guard's wider role puts unprecedented pressure on the lives, careers and relationships for troops once considered mostly weekend warriors.

--
Guard leaders from America's 50 states and its territories displayed patriotism and a sense of duty, but some also privately spoke of the difficulties of returning to civilian life.

Military commanders pledged to scale back current deployment schedules, realizing that failing to do so might discourage people from enlisting – although the use of the Guard has not translated into a drop in the force's numbers




Read more: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20070827-1441-nationalguardatwar.html

[MadMaddie]

1. Nice that he does...but * doesn't....

[sakabatou]

2. More blood for the war machine

[saigon68]

3. "Bring em on" shouted the AWOL CHIMPANZEE

[maseman]

4. Of course he listens to his Generals

NOTTT!

[tabasco]

5. These yes-men always talk about how bad it is for the troops.

But never do anything about it.

Casey is one of Rummy's hand-selected errand boys.

[laststeamtrain]

6. AP: Troops Cheer Call For Iraq Withdrawal...At National Guard Conference

Troops Cheer Call For Iraq Withdrawal

Governor's Call For U.S. Withdrawal From Iraq Greeted With Standing Ovation At National Guard Conference

By AP

08/27/07 (AP) A call by Puerto Rico's governor for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq earned a standing ovation from a conference of more than 4,000 National Guardsmen.

Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila said Saturday that the U.S. administration has "no new strategy and no signs of success" and that prolonging the war would needlessly put guardsmen in harm's way.

"The war in Iraq has fractured the political will of the United States and the world," he said at the opening of the 129th National Guard Association general conference. "Clearly, a new war strategy is required and urgently."

Acevedo said sending more troops to Iraq would be a costly blunder.

"By increasing the number of National Guard and reserve troops, we put our soldiers in danger for the umpteenth time since the beginning of the global war on terrorism," said the governor, adding U.S. territories and states need Guard reserves in the event of natural disasters and domestic disturbances.

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http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18258.htm

[Peace Patriot]

8. Kudos and laurel wreaths to the Governor of Puerto Rico! Wow!

You should post this as a main thread.

"...earned a standing ovation from a conference of more than 4,000 National Guardsmen." That is wonderful news!

[laststeamtrain]

10. I posted the same article over in Eds. & Other Articles.

The sound of 4,000 people cheering is an upper.

:hi:

[rodeodance]

7. The Governors of all states need to start making noice (Way Past time to do this)

[gratuitous]

9. Strain? Pffft!

They volunteered! Besides, they are more pieces in the box. It's just like playing Risk. Strain! As if. Little plastic or wood army pieces don't know from strain. Let me tell you about strain. Alberto Gonzales. So unfair. But the National Guard guys? Heck, a weekend a month, two weeks a year, and you're home the rest of the time. Strain. Pffft!

[lovuian]

11. The Military is such a shambles

and they are hiding it but its so bad

[Tempest]

12. After 4 years Casey is concerned?

Bollocks.

This problem has been known for more than 2 years now.

That Bush bunch sure is slow on the uptake.

[saigon68]

13. They are War Criminals casey in particular