Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Army vs. National Guard

I pretty near choked when I read the article in the Spokesman-Review about 550 soldiers from Ft. Lewis being assigned to fight fires in Central Washington.

That is the job of the Washington National Guard. If they are not available, where are they? Iraq? If the Guard is in Iraq, while regular army troops are hanging around in garrison, it makes me wonder if we have this backward.

Guard troops are to be used only in case of National Emergency. Other that that, their contributions to the community are riot control, flood and firefighting...

These are under trained citizen soldiers helping out in their own states. I don't like what I'm seeing, what with Northern State Guardsmen and women being assigned out of their own states for border patrol, or foreign duty, while the Army sits in garrison and trains.

6 comments:

Bay Views said...

Somehow, my comment option went away. It is back now, thanks to my e-pal, Toni.

Anonymous said...

I was kinda wondering if your blogfest is still being planned, and if banned HBO commenters would be banned from attending the party?

Word Tosser said...

Thank Heavens!!!! Some one else has said what I have said and I got blank looks for it.
I always thought that the National Guard was for the states. States only. Could be loaned for short times from one Governor to another in disaster time. But not for International use. That International use is for Arm Services, and Reserves.
Who changed that? I thought maybe I was going crazy, as others didn't think I knew what I was talking about. Thanks, Herb, even if it is just you and I who think this way.

Bay Views said...

Date still being discussed. Banned commenters are still people, and with good behavior expected by all, will certainly be welcome.

green libertarian said...

Well said, Herb, regarding the use of National Guard troops. I've seen numerous articles about how the active Marine Corp folks were the MOST effective in establishing good relations and security in the parts of Iraq where they were deployed. When replaced by undertrained and poorly-led National Guard units, the security situation went to hell.

Anonymous said...

By law, the National Guard units of the various states work for their respective governors, however they can be called to Federal duty by the President. There are many examples of state active duty...riots of the 60's, Mt. St. Helens in 1980, the list goes on and on.

I enjoy your blog, Herb.