NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVES

DEATH TOLLS

I know many of you say that the "all volunteer army" is working, and maybe it is, but what I've had a problem with is the reliance on the National Guard and Reserves to fight the war. As their names state, National Guard are supposed to be at home, protecting the country and assisting at home. The Reserves are supposed to be held in reserve until needed, more like replacements, not the main force. But this war, the roles are turned around. Its the active army and marines that are at home, and its the reserves and guard that are on the front lines.

These are people who probably signed up hoping for money for college, not to be put in a battle zone. And yes, they know they run that risk when they sign up, but as I'm sure their recruiters told them, since they are guard or reserves, they won't be on the front lines. Well, they lied. Its the accountants, students, salesmen, that are on the front lines, not the career soldier. The National Guard and Reserves are higher in number in Iraq than they were in Vietnam. Something needs to be done soon before we have no military to count on.