Reserves are no reserve at all

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.lenconnect.com/articles/2003/11/07/news/news09.txt

Commentary by David Hackworth

Let's say you own a small trucking company with 20 drivers, but six of your operators are dysfunctional in one way or another.

In the real world -- to stay in business -- you'd have to sack 'em to survive.

But, apparently, the U.S. Army's Ready Reserve Force doesn't need to be concerned about the bottom line as long as we taxpayers have deep pockets.

An estimated 60,000 of the 205,000 soldiers on their books can't deploy to combat zones because of medical problems -- and an alarming number of these nondeployables are either wacko, overweight or otherwise physically not up for the fighting game.

The Army Reserve also has the largest numbers of females of any of the services -- 25 percent -- so there are more pregnancies, as well as other family problems. For instance, many serving moms aren't able to muster sitters when they're ordered to head toward the world's hot spots.

more

[Ripley]

1. Like the woman with 7 kids they're calling "AWOL."

I believe she should get an extended leave, however I really don't understand she and her husband both signing up to be soldiers then having 7 kids. Who is supposed to raise them when they're both at war? Well, I guess they didn't think about that and now she's jeopardizing her career.

[Cha]

2. Sounds like ...draft here we come before..

bush's folly is over.

"Now Congress needs to investigate why this important force flunked the course, using at least the same level of enthusiasm that motivated its examination of Bill Clinton's maneuvers with Monica.

But more likely Congress will mimic the three brass monkeys and see, hear and smell no evil. Why? Pork.

With an annual budget of almost $6 billion, the Reserves bring heavy dough to every state. Which means that carrying the 60,000 nondeployables costs you and me almost $2 billion a year for dead wood."

[RamboLiberal]

3. I agree there's going to be a draft

They are just trying to stretch it out (see the article I posted about them even drawing on a ceremonial unit) till they can reselect AWOL in November and if that happens watch out. As a lame duck they'll have no problem bringing it back and tailoring it so their bases kids don't have to serve - just like Vietnam.

[Cha]

4. I believe we will not get a lame duck bush....

Thank our Lucky Stars for that!

A freakin' 4 squattin' years is enough!

I know my feelings don't calm anyone's nerves except mine.

As far as the draft...I would think that it would be a good thing in the way that more of our Citizens would sit up and take notice what in going down in this ol' Country of ours'!

And they would NOT stand for their sons and daughters being murdered for bush's dream.

[9215]

5. The last paragraph is why women should not be in combat.

I have always argued this though it isn't PC.

The Army Reserve also has the largest numbers of females of any of the services -- 25 percent -- so there are more pregnancies, as well as other family problems. For instance, many serving moms aren't able to muster sitters when they're ordered to head toward the world's hot spots.


Women should not be in combat PERIOD.

It is a logistics nightmare that is a threat to the entire military effort.