Former Soldiers Fighting Army on Callbacks (NYT)

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/16/national/16reserves.html?position=&hp=&oref=login&pagewanted=print&position=

November 16, 2004
Former Soldiers Fighting Army on Callbacks
By MONICA DAVEY

The Army has encountered resistance from more than 2,000 former soldiers it has ordered back to military work, complicating its efforts to fill gaps in the regular troops.

(snip)

And, of about 2,500 who were due to arrive on military bases for refresher training by Nov. 7, 733 had not shown up.

(snip)

"I consider myself a civilian," said Rick Howell, a major from Tuscaloosa, Ala., who said he thought he had left the Army behind in 1997 after more than a decade flying helicopters. "I've done my time. I've got a brand new baby and a wife, and I haven't touched the controls of an aircraft in seven years. I'm 47 years old. How could they be calling me? How could they even want me?"

(snip)

Others say they do not believe they are eligible to be returned to active duty because, they contend, they already finished the obligations they signed up for when they joined the military. A handful of such former soldiers, scattered across the country, have filed lawsuits making that claim in federal courts.

(snip)

[physioex]

1. Ahhhh...The draft has begun....

And when they are finished with the x-enlisted, they come after the people who haven't served.......

[imenja]

2. NPR covered this

. . . three weeks before the election, but it got no traction. I would have thought it said something relevant about Bush's abilities as Commander in Chief.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Yes, I read it, too. Looks as if they muffled it very well the first time.

This is apalling. _Bush will do anything, but ANYTHING, to satisfy his demands for more power than any decent American President has ever held.

What an ass.

Good luck to these men seeking justice. I hope they find it.

[Carl Brennan]

3. The guy is 47 years old?

Sheeet. The Roman Army had a limit of age 45 for an obligation to serve.

This guy is to old to be in combat.

This is the dumbest damn thing. I'm not much older than that guy. I have an honorable discharge and will go to jail before I'd let them induct me.

[AndyTiedye]

5. They Called Back a *67* Year Old Reservist A Few Months Ago

Noone is safe.

That's why they're outsourcing all the jobs,
and trying to bring in Mexicans for those they can't outsource.

Not so much a draft as a tornado.

[Judi Lynn]

6. First U.S. President I've seen who was this deceitful.

The only ones he will protect from a draft will be his W.A.S.P. American kids who haven't served yet.

When do you think he have our legal system start making deals with first time offenders, non-violent crime offenders, etc. to get into the Army as an escape from serving time in jail?

[sofa king]

7. Good lord, that's scary as hell!

Judi Lynn, your comment sent chills through my spine. One out of five people in prison today are there for drug offenses. Imagine if we started sending those people to Afghanistan. Most of that Afghan opium goes to Europe now, but damn if that wouldn't change in a helluva hurry.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/prisons.htm

[BeHereNow]

10. You are so RIGHT on that speculation.

I have been expecting that for a long time.
We have SO many people in prison in this country.
Most of them there for non-violent offenses.
I fully expect to see them trading prison uniforms
for military ones any day now.
BHN

[TahitiNut]

12. It wasn't unusual in the 50's and early 60's for military service to be ..

... posed as the alternative to prison time for young offenders. This practice pretty much ended when the military objections grew louder. Nonetheless, when the draft geared up in the 60's, plenty of college graduate draftees found themselves subordinate to such 'volunteer' military service people. :shrug:

[msanthrope]

15. That's how we helped fill the ranks for Vietnam.....n/t

[shanti]

16. yes, and that happened

during the vietnam war too....the dealmaking.

[NNN0LHI]

8. Boys. You are in the army now n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. I'm surprised there are 2000 still available that don't have medical

problems from past military service and which can use those problems to avoid military callbacks.

[Javaman]

11. Just like the CIA, you're never really out...

[NNN0LHI]

13. The Mafia too n/t

[Javaman]

14. I'll make you an offer you can't refuse