You are (re)called to volunteer for active duty. YES/NO to GO?

[Ironbarr]

Note: Since this doesn't speak to firearms per se, I believe it fits here.

Got to thinking today (dangerous at my age) that if there were a voluntary call-up of retired military would I, being yet reasonably able-bodied, respond affirmatively, particularly if I was informed that I would serve in Iraq or other hot spot in some unit no matter in which branch I had previously served. "Feet on the ground" required.

In weighing the pros and cons considering the "news de jour" and other things more personal, I checked my decision tree. On the left "Pros", the right "Cons". This is about the way it stacked up on most important things:

Pro:
My age 71.
Wife: Strong and capable of living alone. Health issues covered; income stream post my death too very little. Too little life insurance for today's living.
Children: Grown, gone, own families.
Grandchildren: Mostly adults, gone, own lives. Those still close are either in decent jobs or high school; solid home base.

Con:
Death/disable earlier than might be.

Assuming there'd be some education/training beforehand, and assuming a uniformed role in at least last rank held, there would be the catch-up to todays pay scale, BAQ and other assorted goodies - including the latest insurance coverage - I could cover much of my past income growth failings reasonably well. As for "the job", while I've been retired some 36 years, I do believe that there is something I could do that would be useful, and I'm sure the gov't would supply it.

Before someone gets the idea that I'm looking for "Suicide by Iraqi" - forget it! That's not the idea here. What is the idea, is that I'm sitting here passing my days doing nothing at all useful during this very distressful series of events, and I feel pretty useless at this point. If they'd just call me up involuntarily - now - I'd be in motion very shortly.

I know there is a retired military presence here at THR, and there are others, retired or not, past military or not. This is for anyone wanting to respond to the poll/thread. I would like to hear from retired military though (as my personal desire to know how you think of this).

So, the question of the poll is "If there is a call for volunteers to serve in whatever capacity in whatever armed service in whatever "Feet On The Ground" location, how would you respond???"

-Andy

 

[foghornl]

I'm 50+, with bad knees, bad vision, and being generally a "crusty old coot".

But I have not forgotten the lessons learned at Dad's knee about the Cost of Freedom. (Dad was a WWII Army Infantry man).

That, and I still feel the need to extract my "Pound of Flesh" from those responsible for 9-11-01.

 

[bogie]

I'm fat, 43, bad knees, a bone spur on my ankle the size of a railroad spike, but I think I could help with something.

 

[Rebel Gunman HK]

I would only volunteer to go back into the Army if my family's life was in danger because the country was being attacked. Other than that hell no. I didn't sign up to be a world police officer.

 

[RWK]

I am 58, a retired senior Naval officer, and subject to recall. Certainly, I'd go: (1) I am morally and legally obliged to do so and (2) like it not, acknowledge it or not, we are in the opening phase of a multi-generational, culturally-based war between the Western Judaic/Christian democracies and the Middle Eastern Islamic theocracies (in essence, the Crusades, Part II). We either annihilate this enemy now, or we await his development of significant weapons of mass destruction. My children, and especially my grandchildren, may not survive that option.

 

[Greg L]

I would accept a recall if it was to help man a base/installation nearby, freeing up those who are much more physically able to survive in a hostile enviornment (especially seeing as how I've shattered the same ankle twice :banghead: since getting out of the army. I have to be a good shot seeing as how I can't run anymore ).

Greg

 

[Detachment Charlie]

Would I go again?
Absolutely.
Why? (If you know one whole verse of Kumbaya, better stop reading right now.) Because of the rush. The rush of combat. Yes, it's insane and inhuman and barbaric, but there is nothing that ever gave me the rush that combat did. It is so much more than simple adrenalin. I really can't describe it; I can't explain it, but -- late at night and all alone with my thoughts -- I really want to experience it one more time.

 

[Kurt S.]

54 year old fat boy with bad eyes

But heck yes, no problem. I'm pretty sure nobody would put me back on a carrier deck (where I worked 35 years ago), or give me an M16 and have me going building to building (which I was never trained for). But I'd work with computers, do guard duty, cook, compartment clean, push a pencil, whatever it took.

I would not, however, go near a commision. EM I was and EM I would be again.

 

[smithandwesson]

A BIG H*LL YES!!!!!!!!!

 

[Renegade]

Hell yes! I'm not retired military, but prior service. I didn't get to go to the big sandbox the first time around, wouldn't want to miss the second.

Later,

Dave

 

[Langenator]

I'm on active duty right now, so the question is kind of moot. But if I was retired, yes, I'd go. Old guys can push paper just as well as younger ones, and the younger ones can do things like fight better.

 

[Art Eatman]

While I wouldn't object, I'd have to raise an eyebrow at the idea that with 300 million people in this country, they'd have to rely on a bunch of us Old Farts. Such a society deserves to go down the tubes, seems to me.

I've always like Heinlein's line: "Roman matrons once told their men to return bearing their shields, or on them. The custom declined. So did Rome."

Art

 

[Bruce H]

bogie I suspect if they gave us our choice of high perches we could do some good. Especially if we could take our own toys.

 

[Firethorn]

I'd have to say

You old farts are the most dangerous ones.

And if they let you guys bring your own weapons, you'd make excellent snipers on average.

As for me, I'm active duty right now as well, so I can't really answer the question. I think that I'd say yes on average though.

 

[Quartus]

like it not, acknowledge it or not, we are in the opening phase of a multi-generational, culturally-based war between the Western Judaic/Christian democracies and the Middle Eastern Islamic theocracies (in essence, the Crusades, Part II). We either annihilate this enemy now, or we await his development of significant weapons of mass destruction. My children, and especially my grandchildren, may not survive that option.

Yup. All the arguments about "blood for oil" and WMD miss the point entirely. It's really very simple now.



It's us or them.


But here's a reality check for us over the hill gang - we'd be more useful in a training role.

 

[Aikibiker]

I am not former military, but I feel I have something to add.


I'm 26 with a history of bronchitis. The military doesn't want me. I would go in a heartbeat if I could.

RWK has the right of it. This is another crusade, the future of civilization hangs in the balance. I would do anything I could to help out our side.

I'll do what I can on the homefront. Maybe if I am really lucky I can get enough experience in law enforcement to qualify for a job as a civilian contractor.

I fully expect the war to come home to us at some point in time. So maybe I will get my chance after all.

 

[goalie]

I'll go against the grain. My answer is NO. I almost got a free funeral in 1991 over there, I don't feel like pushing my luck by going back into the infantry. Plus, I can do a whole lot more now that I am an RN if I just go work at the VA hospital.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

41, still in ass-kicking shape, still have the skills honed. Would I go? Doubtful.

The reason I separated was because the MORONS drove me nuts. Hurry up and wait and all that . I have no patience for that type of grind.

I would likely be a better candidate for the "security" outfits. They probably offer more of an "entrepeneurial" environment.

I run a business and people here count on me to bring home the goods. Kids are in school. I am at the top of my game in this endeavor.

Do I believe that this is a do or die scenario? Absolutely. It must be done and may very well be intergenerational. We must restrain/contain/pacify an entire culture. We must not rest until it is done.

As much as I would like to get back into the thick of it, I would probably do far more good here paying boat loads of taxes. SOmebody has to pay for the party.

Would I train the youngins? Possibly.

 

[cdbeaver]

I have recited--facetiously--this phrase many times:

If they get me back up where the shooting is going on, there's going to be five people killed . . . me and the four guys holding me up there.

But, seriously, if my country needed me, I'd go back in the blink of an eye.

 

[Jeff White]

My last DD214 says Subject to Active Duty Recall by the Secretary of the Army. It's one of the conditions for drawing retired pay. That's right it's legally retainer pay not a pension. I'm there in a heartbeat. I'm only 47 and have only been retired a few months. But it wouldn't matter, I will go if called whenever, where ever....I will always be proud to contribute to our nation's defense. If asked to volunteer for recall I will.

Jeff

 

[ThreadKiller]

OK, you guys set off a series of random and moderately incoherent thoughts. Thanks a lot. I'll waste precious mental energy on this stuff all weekend most likely.

Gray hair is superior camouflage. Those radical Islamists would never see me coming. They might hear my out of breath panting a mile off, but they'd never see me.

My 220 would HAVE to be at my side.

I'm thinkin' my 270 would make a darn good terrorist popper. A Hornady 110 HP at 3100 FPS... ouch!

But at 48, the effort would be better off if I were behind the lines. Asking corpsmen to work on heart attacks in the field is a bit much.

Heck, does the Navy even use the stuff I worked on waaaaaayyyy back when?

I wonder if the AF would let me work on A-10's? An ex-Navy ET can fix just about anything, even if I do say so myself.

And there would have to be AC everywhere I go.

But I'd go.

Tim

 

[MinScout]

The best thing I ever got out of the military was my a$$. No thanks!

 

[artherd]

I am 23. Single. Able-bodied.

I'm prime draft material as is.

However I own 3 companies, one of which works on products related to DOD. So I suspect I will continue to serve as I do now, making things that help our boys see in the dark.

If I do go 'in country', I only want one thing from the gov. The rest I will provide. I'd like one AC-130 Spectre please.

 

[MarkDido]

Oh hell yes!

I'm now officially retired (not Fleet Reserve anymore), am 48 years old and have an artificial hip, but if Bupers called and told be to get my butt up to Jax and get on the first big grey thing with a flight deck that I came across, I would be out of Orlando in a heartbeat.

Only problem is that my khaki's seem to have shrunk some since I put them up in the closet.

 

[Moparmike]

If Uncle Sam wanted me for my brains, I would jump at it. I would also request a "gentle" weight-loss program, because if they decided to throw me into boot I would probably end up dead because I would either keel over during training from a heart attack or get killed by the DI because I assaulted him with my last ounce of energy for torturing me.

Pros:

* Very adept with computers, quite good with my hands.
* Eager to learn, and with proper instruction adapt to different programming languages easily.
* Able to reason my way through many problems logically.
* Can be very disciplined when needed. Following the lead of competent NCO's and Officers (which I would want to become) is quite easy for me. **
* Responsible and level-headed beyond my years (or so I am told).
* Many other positive characteristics.

Cons:

* Overweight. 300# and 6ft tall. I am quite bouyant though.
* See below. Some people would call this an attitude problem.
* Bad eyesight. Nearsighted, lenses measure -4.25 on each side.
* Bad knees. Back wont be good for much longer.

I would love to serve my country. I am not infantry material. Personally, I always wanted to fly F-14D's, or be on an Iowa Class Battleship.

**I have a problem with Pointy Haired Bosses (Dilbert) and people that dont know their a$$ from a hole in the ground (for your approval: Maj. Powers from Heartbreak Ridge). Yes, I know he is made up. That doesnt change the fact that people like him are put into positions of power everyday.