Don't Get Too Comfortable ~ Troops long out-of-uniform sent to Iraq

[babylonsister]

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=7691

August 20th, 2006 4:46 am
Troops long out-of-uniform sent to Iraq

By Rebecca Santana / Associated Press

CAMP ANACONDA, Iraq - Spc. Chris Carlson had been out of the U.S. Army for two years and was working at Costco in California when he received notice that he was being called back into service.

The 24-year-old is one of thousands of soldiers and Marines who have been deployed to Iraq under a policy that allows military leaders to recall troops who have left the service but still have time left on their contract.

"I thought it was crazy," said Carlson, who has found himself protecting convoys on Iraq's dangerous roads as part of a New Jersey National Guard unit. "Never in a million years did I think they would call me back."

Although troops are allowed to leave active duty after a few years of service, they generally still have time left on their contract with the military that is known as "inactive ready reserve" status, or IRR. During that time, they have to let their service know their current address, but they don't train, draw a paycheck or associate in any other way with the military.

But with active duty units already completing multiple tours in Iraq, the Pentagon has employed the rarely used tactic of calling people back from IRR status, a policy sometimes referred to as a "backdoor draft."

more...

[acmavm]

1. So do they really think that we don't know they're doing this

because a draft would set the country up in flames?

[BOSSHOG]

2. Excellent Point

The thought creeps to the front of my mind on occasion. I'm 52 and have passed the 30 year mark so I am no longer on retainer pay but am actually retired, but no doubt bush has a signing statement relative to my situation.

Increased call ups of IRR personnel to serve in a combat zone is just one step removed from a draft.

[MissB]

3. Would you go at this point?

Just curious. I keep wondering about my brother, who is a former Navy pilot. He flew during the Gulf War, but has been out for years. I don't think he'd go back.

[BOSSHOG]

4. For the last four years

I have been a private citizen, unconstrained by the UCMJ and it has felt good to freely speak my mind. However, I would proudly serve my country again under a sain and legitimate Commander in Chief. It would take me months to get back into the shape I was in when I retired and I would be a liability to my service until then. On the other hand, one tour in harms way was enough for one lifetime. Our kids today are definitely not in good hands. My Dad was in the Navy and they were asking for voluntary recall of old Sailors to rework the USS Iowa back in the 80's. I almost had to tie him up to keep from re upping, even though (at the time) he was pushing 60 and had been retired for years.

[Nickster]

6. I just keep thinking back to Desert Storm and my time on a base, to be

named at a future date. The day they announced the launch, I was drawing equipment with very much older gentlemen, easily in their 60s. They said if those guys could still pick up a phone and release another soldier for duty, or teach classes on MOS skills, they would bring in the older guys. The message I received was that they were "called up" and I was informed that our contract states that we are NEVER truly out.

Lots of Drill Sgts received their papers to become active infantry, and tons of reserve drill sgts were shipped in ready to process the first round of draftees. We were Sooooo close to a draft during Desert Storm, SOOOOOO close.

One of the spookiest times I recall from Desert Storm era. I kept thinking, "Oh my God, this is really going to be much worse than they are showing on CNN." It was surreal watching CNN during that time and actually being on base and seeing the real story unfold. Lucky for all of us, that ended very quickly.

[MetaTrope]

5. The Bush regime's been relying on IRR callups since invading Afghanistan

Fortunately, I'm way out of reach of that by now.