Comments on: Reserve System Needs Change

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

There's never been any expectation that Reserve mobilizations would be short term. In 1973, when the current structure was put into place, the expected use was World War III.

All wars that the U.S. has fought since 1814 or so have been "optional" in the sense of being for something other than repelling an invasion.

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Your snarky little comment:

"(Granted, it was woodland camouflage, since theyâd issued all the desert cammies to National Guard folks who manned the shower points in the rear area. But it was camouflage.)"

is a huge part of the problem. Active duty troops love to bitch and to disparage the NG.

FYI, I was with a NG unit attached to the 18th ABN Corp during Desert Storm who went in to Iraq (on the heels of the 3rd ACR) on the first day of the ground war, all without Desert Cammies. I wasn't on the bleeding edge but it was within earshot. I got my first pair of desert camo after the war was over. If you want to complain about not having desert camo, blame it on the Air Force...they all seem to have it on their plush bases in Saudi. Like they really need it in their air-conditioned buildings! Idiotic political correctness caused the shortage of Desert camos for Army troops not the NG.

By: Phillip Carter

Phillip Carter — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Unfortunately, the shortages in today's Guard and reserve run much deeper than the color of their camoflauge. Many Guard units I saw (and served with) lacked basic warfighting equipment -- or had equipment that was significantly older than their soldiers. They also lacked training time, training resources (ammo, batteries, fuel, spare parts), military schools allocations, etc. The reserve unit I served with was much better, largely because it was a Civil Affairs unit so it was part of Special Ops command. But it too had shortages.

If we're going to expect our reserve warriors to fight alongside active-duty troops, we need to set them up for success by giving them the tools and resources they need. I don't think anyone will dispute that. But to date, neither Congress nor the Pentagon wants to put its money where its mouth (or rather, mobilization orders) is.

--Phil

By: The Kudzu Files

The Kudzu Files — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

The role of the Reserves
Outside The Beltway has an excellent post about the Guard and Reserves and how they're being used. These reserve forces exist for one reason, and one reason only: to supplement the full-time military when the need arises. They don't exist...

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