An important angle on the AWOL story

[cheapbeemr]

Thinking back on my own ANG service in those days, a couple of useful things came to mind:

First - Air National Guard units are much smaller than regular Air Force bases, with personnel in the dozens rather than the thousands. The base commander knew pretty much everyone, down to the lowliest clerk.

Second - Transferring to another state's Air Guard is different than simply changing bases in the Air Force. As each state's Guard is, in effect, its own 'Air Force,' to transfer in you must enlist in that Guard. And far from simply processing through a new personnel office, this enlistment entails a whole new 'swearing-in' ceremony, which takes place in the office of the base Commanding Officer. In my Guard time, I transferred from Missouri to California and back again, and did this ceremony each time.

If the Alabama commander didn't see Bush, or have record of him in his office, he didn't show up. Same when Bush went back to Texas, where he 'wasn't observed' until he responded to an angry letter and he performed catchup duty all together immediately before his early discharge.

[burrowowl]

1. Thanks for the input eom

[countmyvote4real]

2. I didn't know that. So why does the media assume we start there?

That is great background information for framing this discussion.

While we're on it, what about dental examination records? To me, that just seems silly as far as proof of service. It just shows proof of dental examination.

Can you provide any insight?

[cheapbeemr]

3. Nope, never got any dental work done in the Guard

Don't even remember it being available.......