National Guard in the middle east?

[Shooter04]

I would've posted this in the military section, but there doesn't seem to be much traffic over there.

I'm unclear as to why the Army National Guard is deployed in the middle east. I thought the whole concept behind the ARNG was to be a "citizen soldier", militia, minutemen, etc. So why are they being deployed overseas?

I was always taught the ARNG would be there after hurricanes to help injured people. During riots to suppress them, protect peoples property, and help the inured. And in the unlikely case of an attack on US soil, to be the first response while the other branches organize. Not to be deployed into battlefields across the world to fight amongst regular soldiers. If i wanted to do that I'd join the Army. What i want is to help American Citizens in times of need.

After graduation I'm pretty set on joining the ARNG as a 68W because i already have my EMT-B cert and that's where i think i could do the most good. I'm not opposed of being sent over seas, I just don't understand why they would send the ARNG, and not just the Army.

Any insight?

[diablos30]

total force concept

[Dave]

Thats the way it used to be actually until after Katrina. The federal Government took control of the NG from the state governors

[Shooter04]

Originally Posted by diablos30

total force concept

?

Originally Posted by Dave

Thats the way it used to be actually until after Katrina. The federal Government took control of the NG from the state governors

So....when is it going back to normal? After the wars in the middle east?

[FastFocus]

probably never. This was one of Bush's great **** ups. Instead of leaving the NG to guard the nation. He sent them all over seas. Well then we have no one here, so we start up the department of homeland security and hire a bunch of inbred idiots to run it. then we wonder why we're in so much debt? Out of control spending on dumb **** we dont need!?!

[Gunny_990]

Actually it is designed soley to provide relief to active military personnel having to deploy for 14 months come home spend 5 months home and then redploy for and additional 14 months, would be a never ending cycle. Term is known as dwell or planners refer to it a white space. Who knows when it will return to normal, I would love to say the world is free of all radicals who want to do us (Americans) harm, but it's not. I highly encourage you to march forward with your plans, if your unit is chosen to deploy, you will hopefully have great memories to tell your grand kids one day. Hopefully this helps you understand...

[Shooter04]

Well that sucks. I don't want to enlist if there's a chance I'd go to the sandbox. But i want to enlist if it means i can help Texans during emergencies.

[diablos30]

dont enlist then because you will go

[JK23112]

You can "help" your fellow Texans by killing the terrorists over there - before the jihadis manage to kill your friends and family members over here.


Regarding the ARMY National Guard (or AIR National Guard, for that matter), they serve a dual mission. They can be called to active duty by a state's governor for a 'local' emergency (flood, etc.) or some type of disaster; but also by the President in the event of something more pressing or involving a need at the federal level.

Army Reserve members can only be called out by the federal government, and not governors of each state. Members of either service, however, can be called to indefinite active duty if the need arises. The days of "one weekend a month and two weeks every summer" (as it was when I was in the reserves) could be gone forever.

With the reduction in "total strength" versus "authorized strength" that has occurred in the past 20 years or so, the reserve components have had to pick up the slack. Regular Army (RA) units do - from time to time - need a break in their deployments and they also need help from reserve component troops for combat, combat support and combat service support duties.

Kudos to anyone out there who wears the uniform of our country - and to those who have worn it in the past!!

[NCF250]

Originally Posted by Shooter04

I would've posted this in the military section, but there doesn't seem to be much traffic over there.

I'm unclear as to why the Army National Guard is deployed in the middle east. I thought the whole concept behind the ARNG was to be a "citizen soldier", militia, minutemen, etc. So why are they being deployed overseas?

I was always taught the ARNG would be there after hurricanes to help injured people. During riots to suppress them, protect peoples property, and help the inured. And in the unlikely case of an attack on US soil, to be the first response while the other branches organize. Not to be deployed into battlefields across the world to fight amongst regular soldiers. If i wanted to do that I'd join the Army. What i want is to help American Citizens in times of need.

After graduation I'm pretty set on joining the ARNG as a 68W because i already have my EMT-B cert and that's where i think i could do the most good. I'm not opposed of being sent over seas, I just don't understand why they would send the ARNG, and not just the Army.

Any insight?

This is nothing new. The Guard and Reserves have always deployed overseas. They play a dual role for the states and federal gov't. The Guard is the only part of the military that can be deployed inside the U.S. to help with domestic issues.

Originally Posted by Dave

Thats the way it used to be actually until after Katrina. The federal Government took control of the NG from the state governors

The state gov't have control until the federal gov't needs assistance then the guard goes under federal control. It is based on what type of orders we are put on.

Originally Posted by FastFocus

probably never. This was one of Bush's great **** ups. Instead of leaving the NG to guard the nation. He sent them all over seas. Well then we have no one here, so we start up the department of homeland security and hire a bunch of inbred idiots to run it. then we wonder why we're in so much debt? Out of control spending on dumb **** we dont need!?!

You have no clue on this. By sending the NG it relieved the active units to have dwell time at home. And this out of control spending as you call it has saved peoples lives more than you know it.

Originally Posted by Gunny_990

Actually it is designed soley to provide relief to active military personnel having to deploy for 14 months come home spend 5 months home and then redploy for and additional 14 months, would be a never ending cycle. Term is known as dwell or planners refer to it a white space. Who knows when it will return to normal, I would love to say the world is free of all radicals who want to do us (Americans) harm, but it's not. I highly encourage you to march forward with your plans, if your unit is chosen to deploy, you will hopefully have great memories to tell your grand kids one day. Hopefully this helps you understand...

Originally Posted by Shooter04

?



So....when is it going back to normal? After the wars in the middle east?

There is no normal. Everything is based on global operations.