I briefly heard some story on the morning on TV ABC network news that the military is threatening troops with being sent to Iraq if they do not re-enlist.
Anybody know anything about that? I do not trust anything ABC says.
It's not Army wide policy. What certain commanders and/or retention NCO's are saying and doing is another story. I've heard stories of it happening, but don't know anyone personally that it's happened to.
I do know of another legal but unwise scam that is going on. People are getting out of the Guard, and getting called up to active duty with the Active Army. Usually the active Army units give these former Guardsmen the crap details or work them like pack mules, because they're considered not part of the team by the units they are attached.
That's scary. I don't think non-military people would get the exact implications, but going into combat with people you don't know would be deeply unnerving. The entire point of sending entire units at a time is teamwork, and people watching each other's back. Having no buddies when the bullets are flying is rather unhealthy.
It's legal, but it's not a good idea. Calling up former Guardsman, tossing them in with Active Army units, treating them poorly, and leaving them out to dry is a sure way to lose credibility. What do you think those Guardsman are going to tell every young kid thinking of enlisting? One could shrug off morale issues, and say "Suck it up and drive on", but it will be costly in the end.
Just my opinion.
That in and of itself is the problem. Our government can declare a national emergency, they just don't have to tell anyone about it.
They can do so, but such a national emergency wouldn't count. The courts shouldn't let the government get away with War Power Act actions without an official declaration of war and/or national emergency. The military can't act in certain manners without said declarations, and unit commanders usually don't sign any paperwork that might damage their career. Ironically, fear of damaging one's career keeps the military chain of command very honest usually.
I'm trying to think of the last officially declared war. Anyone know offhand?