Post by sgt0311usmc on May 12, 2006 14:41:26 GMT -8
Many of you have seen enough of my posts to know that:
A) Although I can be long-winded in some posts, I tend to do so in an attempt to lay out a well-reasoned argument; &
B) I rarely do so to emplace a disclaimer that might be seen as watering-down my point(s);
Here, I reverse my position on (B), above.
A) Although we (most of us) know about inter-service, & active duty VS. Reservist/Nat'l Guard rivalry; from simple teasing, up to open contempt, The following has absolutely NO relationship to that.
B) I have NO intention of posting this subject outside this forum, because I know that here; no one will attempt to "run with the statements made" as a condemnation of any kind against any of our service people.
C) I have no lack of respect, at heart, for our National Guard/Reservists - ESPECIALLY now that they've either been deployed & "seen the elephant"; or, as a rule, generally been "put on notice" that deployment is a strong probability (as opposed to 20 years ago, when it was generally considered to be, in many cases, almost a 1-weekend-a-month "social activity").
That said; I have a prediction to make, that, unfortunately, instead of reflecting on the individuals - will reflect poorly on both; Our servicepeople in general & The president's (purported) plan to use the National Guard on our border.
Prediction:
There WILL be cases of NG personnel doing both: supporting illegals crossing, and, getting involved in the drug flow across the borders. There MIGHT even be (some, who) actually communicate & coordinate with either the MNA, coyote's or cartels (as in - act as a North-of-border COC for violations). In it's worst iteration(s), some will actually supply them with logistical support, sell or give them military equipment/weapons, or even transport (for personnel &/or "product").
Some may disagree, &, I certainly understand if you do. I would hope to be proven wrong, but, I doubt it. It's a shame that something as simple as "your squad is responsible to patrol & observe this portion of the border, from point "A", to point "B" ", will require "hyper-supervision" from the top down, to prevent, or at least catch, this.
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As a secondary issue, IF he does do it (deploy the Guard); I would make this suggestion: Allow "outside" units & individuals (NG AND Reservists from outside the AO) to volunteer to go TAD to the AO units (based on: their needs & Critical MOS's, first). This will allow personnel that have "critical" positions (i.e. - small business owners) locally to do a certain amount of time on the border, then - as this WILL be an extended deployment - allow their positions to be "back-filled" by others from around the country (such as FF, other students, teachers, laid-off workers) who are also NG/Reservists, who might HAVE an excess of time (i.e. - summer-break from school) to both, serve, and earn. It would also help to aleviate "burn-out". (AND, provide a basis for inserting CID into suspect zones).
There is certainly a precedent for this, as I used to remember seeing Stars & Stripes & "Army/Navy/AF Times" & seeing offers to trade duty assignments between various bases. I understand that policy may have been stopped, but, IMHO, THIS would be a good policy that would benefit the military in general. They could even open it up to other branches.
A) Although I can be long-winded in some posts, I tend to do so in an attempt to lay out a well-reasoned argument; &
B) I rarely do so to emplace a disclaimer that might be seen as watering-down my point(s);
Here, I reverse my position on (B), above.
A) Although we (most of us) know about inter-service, & active duty VS. Reservist/Nat'l Guard rivalry; from simple teasing, up to open contempt, The following has absolutely NO relationship to that.
B) I have NO intention of posting this subject outside this forum, because I know that here; no one will attempt to "run with the statements made" as a condemnation of any kind against any of our service people.
C) I have no lack of respect, at heart, for our National Guard/Reservists - ESPECIALLY now that they've either been deployed & "seen the elephant"; or, as a rule, generally been "put on notice" that deployment is a strong probability (as opposed to 20 years ago, when it was generally considered to be, in many cases, almost a 1-weekend-a-month "social activity").
That said; I have a prediction to make, that, unfortunately, instead of reflecting on the individuals - will reflect poorly on both; Our servicepeople in general & The president's (purported) plan to use the National Guard on our border.
Prediction:
There WILL be cases of NG personnel doing both: supporting illegals crossing, and, getting involved in the drug flow across the borders. There MIGHT even be (some, who) actually communicate & coordinate with either the MNA, coyote's or cartels (as in - act as a North-of-border COC for violations). In it's worst iteration(s), some will actually supply them with logistical support, sell or give them military equipment/weapons, or even transport (for personnel &/or "product").
Some may disagree, &, I certainly understand if you do. I would hope to be proven wrong, but, I doubt it. It's a shame that something as simple as "your squad is responsible to patrol & observe this portion of the border, from point "A", to point "B" ", will require "hyper-supervision" from the top down, to prevent, or at least catch, this.
============================================================
As a secondary issue, IF he does do it (deploy the Guard); I would make this suggestion: Allow "outside" units & individuals (NG AND Reservists from outside the AO) to volunteer to go TAD to the AO units (based on: their needs & Critical MOS's, first). This will allow personnel that have "critical" positions (i.e. - small business owners) locally to do a certain amount of time on the border, then - as this WILL be an extended deployment - allow their positions to be "back-filled" by others from around the country (such as FF, other students, teachers, laid-off workers) who are also NG/Reservists, who might HAVE an excess of time (i.e. - summer-break from school) to both, serve, and earn. It would also help to aleviate "burn-out". (AND, provide a basis for inserting CID into suspect zones).
There is certainly a precedent for this, as I used to remember seeing Stars & Stripes & "Army/Navy/AF Times" & seeing offers to trade duty assignments between various bases. I understand that policy may have been stopped, but, IMHO, THIS would be a good policy that would benefit the military in general. They could even open it up to other branches.
