This little item was brought to my attention this evening: http://tinyurl.com/6gfre

The last paragraph in the story was particularly surprising:

"Qualls signed up for a one-year stint in the Arkansas National Guard in July 2003 but has been told he will remain on active duty in Iraq until next year. His pay stub now shows his term of service expiring on Dec. 24, 2031."

I can see keeping someone a few months beyond the term of contract, particularly if there were an emergency (which Iraq evidently was not) but his term has apparently been extended by 27 years and six months. That seems a bit "over the top."

Alan Moore

Wow - talk about a contract extension! I wonder if the Commander in Chief's stub has the same date?

--the California National Guard has been attempting to balance its dual responsibilities to the federal government and to the state government. In addition, the Guard operates with a persistent federal and state funding shortage. Despite the concerted attempt by the California National Guard to address the shortcomings of balancing this expensive dual mission, several major issues remain unresolved.

How can this fail to have a chilling effect on recruitment? Where will the volunteer army find all the volunteers, when they can't rely on any end date?

quote:

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Originally posted by frankvan:
http://ngac.org/news/CNGRandRPaper.htm

How can this fail to have a chilling effect on recruitment? Where will the volunteer army find all the volunteers, when they can't rely on any end date?

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Here in California it's a problem indeed. This is earthquake contry and we rely on the gaurd for emergency services. In the summer they help fight wildfires, in the rainy season (I hesitate to call it winter) they help with flood control. This past summer, we had a shortage not only of the gaurdsmen themselves during the fire season, but of the helicopters needed to transport men, equipment and water into the rugged terrain where the fires often take hold.

Despite the poor job situation, the gaurd is having trouble recruiting. It's not because of the risk (or near certainty) of being sent to Iraq, it's because of the likelihood of having to serve an extended term of active service, making regular employment impossible.

Alan Moore