http://oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/1084967798100830.xmlArmy does about-face on call-up readiness
An erroneous order for veterans to pick a Reserve or National Guard unit by Monday produces a flurry of enlistments
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
RON SOBLE
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SALEM -- Thousands of recent U.S. Army veterans nationwide were told to choose by Monday a new assignment in the Army Reserve or National Guard -- meaning a potential return to active duty -- or the military would decide for them. The Army now says the order was a mistake.
The consequence of the error appears to be a sharp increase in enlistments in Oregon and elsewhere by reservists who feared being assigned a unit without their consent. They face possible deployment to the Middle East.
Army Reserve officials said the order issued in early May prompted a flood of calls from confused veterans, who are among the estimated 118,000 reservists on inactive status. The Pentagon is not yet forcing re-enlistments but is "screening" inactive reservists for possible call-up, a spokeswoman said.
Nonetheless, e-mails and phone calls from military recruiters went out this month warning veterans that they could be involuntarily placed in active Army Reserve units. That shocked some Oregon reservists.
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The article goes on to say that it is unclear whether soldiers who signed up under the mistaken deadline would be released from their obligation.