I have always supported the concept of an all volunteer army. However, at this point I think it will take a draft to impress upon people that this is not reality TV, it's a war. Now that we've trashed Iraq we have no choice but to stay and clean it up (just as the Bush admin knew we would). We will be providing support (spell that o-c-c-u-p-a-t-i-o-n) for years to come. We are now reading about men nearing 50 who are being called up. Instead of college age soldiers, we'd essentially be deploying their parents. Let's get real here. These guys are out of practice, out of shape and not thrilled about embarking upon this kind of adventure at this point in their lives. Actually, I would consider them a liability to our troops for the most part. I'm not bashing middle age (I'm there), but take a look around your office, your school, or church, and tell me how many of those folks look like they could be whipped into fighting form in a few months. Tooling around on a riding mower doesn't count toward combat preparedness. As the mother of soldiers who have been caught up in stop loss, extended deployments, re-deployments, insufficient equipment, rationed food and water, etc., I'm ready to say, okay, if Americans support this war so much let them prove it. If they back Bush's war, then so be it. Let's remember, too, that this war is for Iraqi freedom, not our own. Let every parent wake up each day to news of more casualities, praying that their son or daughter has been spared. Let every wife go through pregnancy, birth and the first year or more with a new baby alone. Let every household struggle when their finances are cut by half because of a deployment. Let folks shut the doors on small businesses they have sacrificed for years to get off the ground. Let every family photograph first dances, proms, weddings, births, graudations, and keep them in books. Let everyone experience the excitement of awaiting a loved one returning from war just to find out days before that they've been extended another six months. When flag draped coffins are sent home let's not show it on tv, so we can deny the real cost of war. When soldiers are confined to hospitals for months or require care for years to come, let's make it as difficult and as humbling an experience as we possibly can. Let's have everyone get off the fence here. Anyone who shares Bush's 'bring 'em on' mentality needs to sign up.

If a person is too old to deploy, they should retire/seperate from service. Guard and Reserve service isn't just a quick and easy way to earn a few extra bucks. If you're not capable of going to war, you should not be in the military.

I am, btw, against a draft (barring a WWII-style crisis). Last thing I want to have to deal with is a bunch of sullen, bitter draftees (who would be statistically less qualified than the volunteers we have now).

The 3rd ID deploys to Iraq by December for their 2nd tour in a year.

True statement, and that deployment rate does suck. But Kerry was going to increase the amount of infantry available without a draft, Bush could do the same should we require it. It's less expensive to do it with volunteers than conscripts anyway.

Now wait a minute Sister!!

I may bitch. but that's my right I wear the uniform. You on the other hand do not. This is one Middle aged "liability" that's ready to fight tonight. As a former Drill Sgt I could and in most cases still can run circles around the fat bodies those recruiters send us. The only work out most 17 year old kids get these days is thumb caliosus from the playstation and the TV remote.

Service to your country is not a Bush thing. It is not a Republican thing or a Democratic thing. I always have liked the Service theme...

I think most lazy ass Americans need to get of the couch away from the and do a little public service. Not necessarily Military duty; but there is plenty in the country and the world that needs fixing.... Peace Corp, Americorp, Hospital Interns, soup kitchen... its all good.

Not everyone is cut to be a war fighter; and those that arn't can serve in other ways.

From one active duty Jarhead to an active duty Doggie, Semper Fi bro. Any kind of service, community military, civil service is better than nothing at all

Ditto from one of a more squidly persuasion!

Ditto here too

From an old SQUID.... Ditto here three! joe e

He's not in the active Army, he's in the Army National Guard, noonanda.

40% of the men in Iraq today are members of the Army National Guard or Army Reserves.

And then there's those men that were recalled from the IRR.

Does anyone here know how to spell "ditto" in grunt speak?

I don't think it can be..............

Spell "Ditto"?

"E-Y-E
C-O-N-T-A-C-T
A-N-D
N-O-D"

At least that's how we agreed.
We didn't often speak.
Someone pointed to something, to some direction,
and if there was agreement, we moved. In The Days
there were truly "men of few words".

On the LZ it was "yup", "right-on", or "I'm down
with that". But, outside A Co. 4/31, 196th LIB...
I cann't say.

Was "ditto" a mimeograph term in the rear?

My 2 cents: if America wants to fight this war in
Iraq, call a draft (I was US- a draftee) and let's get it on.
If not, then the warm and safe should shut up,
and pay the RAs (Regular Army- volunteers) a wad of
cash to fight their war.

I'm with you Rhonda45, I'm nearly 60! I'm concerned that should BUSH get wind of my blogs about his "foreign policy"--I might be next for Iraq. Hey, I'm a grandfather! But--so much for my humor. I think BUSH should spend 6 months with a Marine or Army Infantry unit rounding up insurgents. Since he's not had one minute of combat experience in his 58 years of priviliged life--he should experience it up close and personally. He may have a change of heart about sending our soldiers and marines to a country that has no interest in our form of "democracy." (I mean they had OUR CURRENT form of democracy while under Saddam Hussein's thumb. Why do they need our brand?)

I agree completely. Although I am not a fighter (I admit I don't have the guts), I can still serve my country tothe best of my ability. The best way for me to fight the problems at home is to fix them at home. First things first, get off the couch.

Volunteer. Go pick up trash somewhere. Become a Big Brother or a Big Sister, because there is a kid out there who really needs you. Donate a turkey once a month to a soup kitchen. Coach a softball team. Read to children at the library. Read books on tape for the blind. Donate money to the USO to send a care package (I think it's about $15) to our troops (they need it, and the US government isn't doing it). Collect and donate used books to your local elementary, middle, or high school. Take away your kids Playstation for a week and give her some construction paper and glue. Plant a tree.

Do something. Volunteering for military service or civil service, organized or independent, is the greatest way to make iour country better that how we find it. We can all do something.

The chicken hawks should not have have invaded Iraq

1. As long as remnants of the Talaban (and OBL) were on the loose in Afganastan (remember, they defeated the Russians).
2. As long as Hussain was in check (no fly zone, weapons inspectors in country).

Let's not argue about the draft, let's demand Bush present his exit strategy.

Semper Paratis.

ALL RIGHT - NOW WE ARE TALKING.

NOW ON THE SAME SHEET OR MUSIC OR FOR THE SAME OBJECTIVES BUT YES - YES.

BOBBY HANAFIN = ARMYDAD IS ALL FOR A IMPLEMENTATION OF "THE DRAFT."

I'LL BE BACK TO DISCUSS MY TAKE ON IT LATER.

IKE SKELTON THE CONGRESSMAN FROM MISSOURI AND ONE OF THE FEW VETERANS REMAINING IN THE CONGRESS PLUS ONE OF THE FEW WITH A CHILD VULNERABLE TO SERVICE IN IRAQ HAD THIS TO SAY TO GEORGE W. BUSH IN REGARDS TO TROOP EQUIPMENT SHORTAGES IN IRAQ.

HE IS SENIOR DEMOCRAT ON THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE.

Ike Skelton, Ranking Democratic Member

http://wwwd.house.gov/hasc_democrats

For immediate release

Contact: Loren Dealy, HASC Communications (202) 226-6339

December 10, 2004

Skelton Questions Bush About Equipment Shortages

WASHINGTON D.C-Representative Ike Skelton (MO), Ranking Member, sent the follow letter to President Bush encouraging him to resolve shortages in protective military equipment as quickly as possible.

Dear President Bush:

I am writing to you in your position as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Recently, as I am sure you are aware, Troops serving in Iraq brought the lack of armored vehicles, specifically HMMWVs and other trucks, to the attention of the Secretary of Defense. His response that 'armor is not always a savior' was disappointing, to say the least. Armor may not protect our Troops from all the threats they face in a complex combat environment, but it will reduce casualties. I know that is your foremost goal, as it is ours in Congress.

Congress has provided additional resources for armor in the last defense authorization and appropriations bills and in the supplemental spending bill. But we have seen that units continue to feel they need to find creative ways to meet their armor needs. Last December, community leaders and businesses in Jefferson City, Missouri, got together to provide makeshift armor plating to the Troops of the 428th Transportation Company. At that time I expressed my deep concern to the Secretary of the Army that we were sending troops into harm's way without the proper equipment. He assured me that the Army would do all it could to properly equip our Soldiers.

Now, a year later, companies such as Armor Holdings Inc, which supplies armored vehicles and armor kits for unarmored vehicles, still have significant unused manufacturing capacity. Other armor manufacturing companies are also saying they have additional capacity as well. While the Department of Defense has increased procurement of these items, it has not come close to taxing the production capability of the industry. These assertions by companies make it difficult for us to understand where the backlog is. Since we have provided additional funds, why isn't all of the available industrial capacity being used? How are we energizing the industrial base to provide armor for the full range of ground vehicles in the theater?

I know you share both my concern for the welfare of our Troops and my belief that when we commit Troops to combat, we owe them the very best equipment. I urge you to direct the Department of Defense to increase production of these armored vehicles and armor kits to maximum capacity immediately, so that we can fully equip our brave men and women serving in combat.

Sincerely

Ike Skelton
Ranking Democrat

I WILL VENTURE TO SAY THAT THE GOP MAY HAVE WON THE ELECTION BUT BUSH, INCORPORTATED HAS BEEN AND REMAINS ON THE ROPES WHEN IT COMES TO HIS WAR IN IRAQ. THEY WERE DURING THE 2004 ELECTION CAMPAIGN, THEY WERE DURING THE KERRY-BUSH DEBATES, AND THEY ARE NOW! SO MUCH FOR "SUPPORT THE TROOPS" THEN AND NOW!!!

WITH THAT SAID, THIS IS EXACTLY WHY ARMYDAD STRONGLY AND PASSIONATELY SUPPORTS IMPLEMENTATION OF A DRAFT AND DOES NOT EVEN WANT TO ARGUE ABOUT IT.

THE TIME FOR ARGUMENT IS WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY PAST.

SHRUB AND THE NEO-CONS HAVE CRIED WOLF AND THE SKY IS FALLING JUST ONE TIME TOO MANY SO IT'S ABOUT TIME TO CALL THEM ON IT.

WE AGREE TOTALLY WITH THE COMMENTS MADE BY THE PRESIDENT AND OUR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AT CAMP PENDLETON ON DECEMBER 8TH, 2004

Bush Asks U.S. To Support Troops
Associated Press
December 8, 2004

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Standing before thousands of Marines, President Bush asked other Americans on Tuesday to make the war their own by helping battle-weary troops and their families.

THAT'S RIGHT "ALL" AMERICANS SHOULD "MAKE THE WAR THEIR OWN. DON'T YOU FOLKS THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME TO START LIVING UP TO THOSE MAGNETIC "SUPPORT THE TROOPS" RIBBONS AND RELATED PATRIOTIC TRINKETS YOU DISPLAY? DON'T YOU BELIEVE IT'S TIME TO SHOW US WHO SEE THAT YOU ARE "HYPOCRITES" THAT WE ARE WRONG.

FRANKLY, I'D BE ASHAMED TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE THINGS ON MY CAR IF I DID NOT SUPPORT A RETURN TO THE DRAFT. TO SHARED NATIONAL SACRIFICE DURING WARTIME.

NOW THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION KEEPS REMINDING US OVER AND OVER THAT WE ARE AT WAR. YET WITH THE EXCEPTION OF "THE CONGRESS" GRANTING BUSH THE AUTHORIZATION TO GO INTO AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ I FOR ONE DON'T RECALL THE CONGRESS GRANTING HIM ANY WAR POWERS NOR DECLARING WAR ON ANY NATION.

WHICH NATION ARE WE AT WAR WITH? AFGHANISTAN? IRAQ?

IT'S CALLED A WAR ON TERRORISM, AND I BUY THAT "BUT" IT IS A GUERILLA WAR NOT A CONVENTIONAL WAR.

THEY SAY IT IS NOT THE SAME AS VIETNAM. OH THEN IT IS NOT A WAR. BECAUSE VIETNAM WAS NOT A WAR OR WAS IT? NO IT WAS A GUERILLA WAR OR NO IT WAS A POLICE ACTION. NO IT WAS A CIVIL WAR. ETC....

BUSH WENT ON TO SAY, "The time of war is a time of sacrifice, especially for our military families," Bush said, wearing a tan military jacket with epaulets. "I urge every American to find some way to thank our military and to help out the military family down the street."

THAT'S RIGHT - THE TIME OF WAR IS A TIME OF SACRIFICE!

HOLD THE PHONE - ESPECIALLY FOR OUT MILITARY FAMILIES?

WHY DOES THE TIME OF WAR - A TIME OF "NATIONAL" SACRIFICE -HAVE TO BE ONLY SACRIFICE FOR MILITARY FAMILIES? IF THEY SHOULD FAIL DOES NOT THE WHOLE SOCIETY - THE WHOLE NATION FAIL? DOES NOT THE WHOLE NATION HAVE SOMETHING TO LOSE SHOULD THE TERRORIST RETURN?

In October 2001, shortly after the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, Bush ordered the invasion of Afghanistan to rout the terrorist-protecting Taliban government. The military took on the additional burden of the war in Iraq starting with the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003.

In all that time, while traveling widely to visit military personnel and sit at the bedsides of the wounded, the president has asked little of the civilian public.

But with casualties increasing and the number of U.S. troops in Iraq slated to rise before next month's planned elections there, Bush urged civilians to do more.

Speaking on the 63rd anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Bush's call to sacrifice recalled President Roosevelt's World War II-era requests for Americans to pitch in for the war effort. Citizens responded then by planting victory gardens, purchasing war bonds, contributing metals and transforming commercial factories into weapons-makers.

I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT ALONG WITH SHARED NATIONAL SACRIFICE COME SHARED NATIONAL AWAKENING TO THE MISTAKES MADE BY THIS ADMINISTRATION AND THE REALIZATION THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY THE ULTIMATE PRICE TO SPREAD DEMOCRACY THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE-EAST. OUR MILITARY IS STRETCHED TO THE BREAKING POINT. OUR GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN UNACCOUNTABLE. THEIR SO-CALLED WAR HAS BEEN A MONEY-MAKING PROFIT ORIENTED ENDEAVOR AS CONGRESSMAN SKELTON IS TRYING TO FIND OUT BUT WILL NOT. THE SOONER WE DRAFT THE BETTER.

SUPPORT THE TROOPS - BRING THEM HOME NOW!!!

Said well, sarge! Service to your county in one form or another should be a prerequisite for seeking any public office.

Roger that!!...OK!...So it's Air Force.

[quote=ARMYDAD,Dec 10 2004, 06:12 PM]
[b]IKE SKELTON THE CONGRESSMAN FROM MISSOURI AND ONE OF THE FEW VETERANS REMAINING IN THE CONGRESS PLUS ONE OF THE FEW WITH A CHILD VULNERABLE TO SERVICE IN IRAQ HAD THIS TO SAY TO GEORGE W. BUSH IN REGARDS TO TROOP EQUIPMENT SHORTAGES IN IRAQ.

HE IS SENIOR DEMOCRAT ON THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE.

Ike Skelton, Ranking Democratic Member

http://wwwd.house.gov/hasc_democrats

For immediate release

Contact: Loren Dealy, HASC Communications (202) 226-6339

December 10, 2004

Skelton Questions Bush About Equipment Shortages

WASHINGTON D.C-Representative Ike Skelton (MO), Ranking Member, sent the follow letter to President Bush encouraging him to resolve shortages in protective military equipment as quickly as possible.

Dear President Bush:

I am writing to you in your position as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Recently, as I am sure you are aware, Troops serving in Iraq brought the lack of armored vehicles, specifically HMMWVs and other trucks, to the attention of the Secretary of Defense. His response that 'armor is not always a savior' was disappointing, to say the least. Armor may not protect our Troops from all the threats they face in a complex combat environment, but it will reduce casualties. I know that is your foremost goal, as it is ours in Congress.

Congress has provided additional resources for armor in the last defense authorization and appropriations bills and in the supplemental spending bill. But we have seen that units continue to feel they need to find creative ways to meet their armor needs. Last December, community leaders and businesses in Jefferson City, Missouri, got together to provide makeshift armor plating to the Troops of the 428th Transportation Company. At that time I expressed my deep concern to the Secretary of the Army that we were sending troops into harm's way without the proper equipment. He assured me that the Army would do all it could to properly equip our Soldiers.

Now, a year later, companies such as Armor Holdings Inc, which supplies armored vehicles and armor kits for unarmored vehicles, still have significant unused manufacturing capacity. Other armor manufacturing companies are also saying they have additional capacity as well. While the Department of Defense has increased procurement of these items, it has not come close to taxing the production capability of the industry. These assertions by companies make it difficult for us to understand where the backlog is. Since we have provided additional funds, why isn't all of the available industrial capacity being used? How are we energizing the industrial base to provide armor for the full range of ground vehicles in the theater?

I know you share both my concern for the welfare of our Troops and my belief that when we commit Troops to combat, we owe them the very best equipment. I urge you to direct the Department of Defense to increase production of these armored vehicles and armor kits to maximum capacity immediately, so that we can fully equip our brave men and women serving in combat.

Sincerely

Ike Skelton
Ranking Democrat

I think Jon's video on link below relates to this stuff in a very humorous manner!!!

http://homepage.mac.com/njenson/movies/dsrumsfeld120904.html

It was fun rewatching that segment of the Daily Show. BUT how can we hold Rummy to anything when he says "...I'm an old man!" (Maybe he needs to be let go like many of his peers were let go!)