Something I wish to consider and wonder about again. Ok, your a member of the National Guard and you have a family of 3,and one on the way. You have spent time going to "Summer Camp" and have been doing your weekend duty. Now you understand the implications of the Y2K situation. But your on duty and now you find out your unit ( a MP unit ) is now working with the FEMA boys and DEA boys. When will you consider when it's time to stay at home and take care of your own??? Also taking in consideration if the financial groups do close for "Banker's Holiday" you wouldn't have that BI-Monthly check from the Govt. besides you will not be able to cash it for supplies and items of helping the family. Sure you have been getting some items but you could be finishing those projects you have on that list the wife and you have been planning. This also is for the Policemen and Sheriff's out there that want to help those in need, but when is it time to seriously consider your family first???? Therehas to be some Military guys reading these posts what will you guys & women do ??? Anyone willing to comment ? I think alot of us haven't considered your plight. And for those "Secret Service" Agents ,the one's who have to Guard our nations past members of Congress and above that level. What are their decisions to this situation??? They have families too ,so where is their LOYALTY ???? Furie...

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), March 04, 1999

Answers

Hi Furie, odd coincidence--just posted above this thread on the New Questions page about Fran and the National Guard. All areas of N. Carolina suffered damage from Fran, especially the eastern half, yet 300+ (can't remember precisely) NC NG troops went to Raleigh to help just a couple of days after Fran hit. I know we had NC NG troops here in Durham too--they were all over the eastern half of the state. They were here for quite some time, although I can't remember how long, but I have a vague memory of NG troops clearing debris for several weeks.

Police and other city, county and state LEOs and emergency response people worked hours and hours of overtime without complaint. How long can they sustain that sort of schedule? I don't know, but I guess we'll find out. Initially, anyway, I'm confident that we'll be well protected and assisted.

I also feel sure that some means will be found to compensate emergency workers, otherwise they'll all go home in a hurry.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 04, 1999.

Both the question and answer indicate an assumption that Y2K will hit like a storm. Personally, I think it will hit like a series of storms, and might well not seem too bad at first. I certainly don't plan on turning my stockpile over to the local food banks until June at the earliest (if at all - having extra on hand makes sense, anyway). Certainly if the power goes down and stays down immediately, the storm will be hurricanish, but if the power even semi-stays up, it could take a while before the worst of Y2K is seen.

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), March 04, 1999.

This looks very reassuring:

X-URL: http://www.ngb.dtic.mil/grdnews/onguard/1996/oct/oct961.htm

Guard Answers Hurricane

North Carolina Hit Hardest by Frans Wrath By Sgt. James Jernigen, North Carolina National Guard

Even as Hurricane Fran thundered dangerously close to his home, PFC Jason Woodard hopped in a car and reported to his unit in Smithfield, N.C. Joining his comrades in North Carolinas 1st Battalion, 119th Infantry, Woodard sat out the storm at his armory with 1,000 other activated Tarheel State Guardmembers. When the sun broke through the following morning, Frans fury gave way to flattened homes and shattered dreams.

With the state of his home weighing heavily on his mind, Woodard set about the task of looking for survivors and setting up roadblocks and patrols to prevent looting. Assisting others made the wait easier.

Finally, Woodards father reached him by phone that night. While his son was protecting others, Fran attacked. A tree found its mark and destroyed Woodards home. Possessions, clothing, home all gone. Now homeless with only the uniforms he brought with him, Woodard pressed on. When asked by a visiting officer how he had personally fared during the hurricane, he simply and with quiet dignity stated, "lost everything."

North Carolinians were not the only Guardsmen and women called by their state to right Frans wrong. South Carolina, West Virginia, Florida and Virginia were asked to help. "This is a perfect example of the citizen-soldier responding to the needs of the community following a disaster," said Maj. Gen. Gerald A. Rudisill, Jr., North Carolinas Adjutant General.

Although other states were affected by Fran, none were battered as badly as Carolinas coast. In all, more than 3,000 Tarheel Guardmembers were called to assist state emergency management agencies in providing security, supplying water, removing debris and assessing damage. Forty North Carolina counties were declared disaster areas.

More than 100 soldiers from the 505th Engineer Battalion were called upon to clean up the Governor Morehead School for the Blind. More than 920 flatbed truck loads were needed to remove the debris. Ive seen this kind of damage before, related Capt. Michael Bowen, Company B, 505th commander, but when it hits your hometown, it gives you a different kind of feeling. With chain saws roaring and woodchips flying, other Company B engineers worked steadily to help clean up the grounds at Leroy Martin Middle School in Wake County. They were one of 20 groups of Guardmembers tasked with clearing debris from more than 100 Wake County schools. Our mission is to get these schools back open, said 1st Lt. Joseph Hough, platoon leader. The damage is overwhelming, but were glad to be here. While engineers removed debris, members of Wilmingtons 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry could be found on roofs with night vision goggles looking out for looters. During the day they manned road blocks, established checkout points and escorted people. The hurricane and its subsequent floods also inspired some heroic deeds. Helen Morgan was returning from visiting a friend when the car she was driving stalled in rising flood waters. With three children and the family cat aboard, Morgan grabbed two children and put them on the roof. SFC Jeffrey Colbert and Pvt. Ronald Ferry, members of the 113th Field Artillery Brigade, were reporting to duty when they heard Morgans screams. Ferry quickly rescued two of the children and put them in his car where Colbert was waiting to comfort them. He then went back to save Morgan, her remaining son and the cat. I have two boys and one girl, Ferry said. I was just doing what I hope someone would for me and my wife. The hurricane did produce one positive result, said Rudisill. The men and women of the North Carolina National Guard have responded quickly and professionally in a time of crisis, the General added. A situation like this puts our readiness to the test. Our troops have passed with flying colors.

Members of North Carolinas 382nd Public Affairs Detachment contributed to this story.

Fighting Fran

462 generators 750 chainsaws 510 vehicles 32 aircraft 110,000 bottles of water

NOTE: Numbers reflect North Carolina Effort.

Cut and pasted by

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 04, 1999.

Old Git & Tricia, thnaks for responding to question, I agree to the answer of series of storms concerning y2k, and yes to the NG being compensated for their efferts. BUT that's not what I wanted to hear, If during or even before the panic starts, Where does the LOYALTY belong to the Service of the country or the Members family? There has to be CIA and DEA boys out there monitoring this forum
-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), March 04, 1999.

Not everything was posted sorry, About the CIA and DEA boys monitoring this forum, HEY GUYS< Where is your LOYALTY< to your job or FAMILY ??? The mentality of your superiors is sometimes questionable when decisions develope concerning the "security of the nation" . What does your wives say to that ??? WIll you guys be Good Guys and serve the country or be with family and their needs??? If any of you have any "wayvoos" state your concerns here, and answer questions we the forum have to ask. WE don't need to be in the DARK !! Furie...

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), March 04, 1999.

furie-- I think the questions a very important one on the human level. If there are regional blackouts, I'd imagine a high percentage of Guardsmen with children would stay home to protect them. I can't imagine leaving my kids if the power were out in a large area, and there was massive uncertainty as to when it would be restored. For those in an urban environment with a power outage, there will undoubtedly be more immediate concerns (looters). The difference between Y2K and a h'cane is, of course, that it hits EVERYWHERE. Unless the government becomes more forthcoming about information available to them, the level of distrust is going to be pretty high come January. With power down, maybe telecom problems, and the sound of gunfire in the distance, what father would leave his kids?

-- Spidey (in@jam.com), March 04, 1999.

i'm not a "paid" emergency services worker, but do volunteer work in emergency communications. i tell those i talk to, both the paid and the volunteers the same thing--they need to be personally very prepared, so that they can then focus on the public when the time comes. many already are, but a lot also pay lip service, some are in denial just like the rest of the public. it's a mixed bag. i'm finding too much apathy yet, in people who should know better.

-- jocelyne slough (jonslough@tln.net), March 04, 1999.

I am in the difficult position of being the wife of someone who is both National Guard and Sheriff's deputy. We are preparing and I am preparing - to do it without him around. Unless we go to a no job senario at this point in time (definately not practical), someone besides me will get his body before me. It is a scary proposition.

As to the post about Guardsmen staying home, last I checked there were 38 states who were planning to hold their "Drill Weekend" on the 31, 1 and 2. Folks, all they will do is close the gates to the base - no one leaves and the troops are there along with their equipment. On the mercenary side of this is the fact that the weekend drills are paid for by the Feds and by scheduling drill on that weekend, the Fed's will be paying the members saving the states beaucoup bucks at the start.

All makes for many frustrations. Does he get out of the Guard or retire from the Department? If so, that royally messes with our retirement which is a very few short years away? Or do we take the chance that the Guard will be placed on a Federal call out and sent to who knows where to either contain the population or guard some out of state oil refinery since we stand to lose 60% of our imports?

I've not posted to this group before, but appreciate all the info that seems to flow from it. It is so hard to keep an even keel when there is so much conflicting info out there. But, I have learned that if the powers that be say don't worry, it is

-- Valkyrie (Anon@please.net), March 04, 1999.

Furie,

I don't think you understand the underlying psychological approach used to motivate Guardsmen - it is one of taking care of one's family *by* taking care of the community. This juxtaposes the loyalty to one with the loyalty to the other, you see? If you think the choices here are tough - try talking to someone who was a reservist or guardsman sent to, oh, Kuwait, or Central America, or Vietnam...all had guard and reserve units directly involved...all had to deal with similar sorts of questions.

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), March 04, 1999.

To Spidey,jocelyne,Valkyrie,Arlin; Thanks for your comments and I'm still looking for answers from the Boys in the offices we all don't want to talk to. But I guess I'll have to monitor the Andrews, NC office to watch the operation unfold. Arlin, I was in the military '68-74 VietNam era so I do understand the thought process behind the blind decisions. But thanks to all who commented. Furie...

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), March 04, 1999.

Valkyrie-- (Great name, by the way)

You said, "As to the post about Guardsmen staying home, last I checked there were 38 states who were planning to hold their "Drill Weekend" on the 31, 1 and 2. Folks, all they will do is close the gates to the base - no one leaves and the troops are there along with their equipment."

Pretty low--and a little expensive for a "bump in the road" scenario, don't you think? Do you know which states are planning this? Thanks for posting--it's very helpful to hear your point of view.

-- Scarlett (ohara@tara.net), March 05, 1999.

Scarlett I read the 38 state call up figure a couple weeks ago. No list was given, but I do no that Washington state is one that has the weekend scheduled for duty.That was announced at a Y2K community planning meeting in Snohomish county in January by Gen. Greg Barlow, Commander of the Washington State National Guard. I have also read that Michigan has the same idea as well as New York and Georgia. Who the others are, I don't know. There was a post that said some states were not calling up their Guard because they figured they would lose them anyway to a Federal call up. Also heard an unsubstantiated rumor that if it is bad, the Fed would send Guard units away from their home districts so that they would "not be in conflict with their neighbors". Now there is a scary thought!

-- Valkyrie (anon@please.net), March 05, 1999.

If the FEDS want to get obedience from the NG troops, all they have to do is encourage them to bring their families to the base, "so that their needs can be taken care of in case there are problems".

If they do, then all they have to do is to threaten the families of the members, and there you go. You know, "well, private X, you'd best follow your orders, or we can't guarantee the safety of your family, and you wouldn't want that, would you?"

Truly evil.

-- Bill (billclo@hotmail.com), March 05, 1999.

Valkyrie--

Would your husband *leave* if things were bad? No heat, food, etc. Possibility of looting....I can't see these men leaving their families. What do you think?

-- Scarlett (ohara@tara.net), March 06, 1999.

I have been in the Army, the Army Reserve, the Army NG, as well as a short stint in the Air NG. I'm NOT in the reserves now.

But IF I WAS, would I answer the call to help keep order in some urban sewer while leaving my wife and other loved ones undefended? Not likely.

Walt

-- Walt Murphy (waltmurph@hotmail.com), March 07, 1999.

Scarlett

My husband and I have made the very difficult decision that he is leaving the Guard in May. At least with his work with the Sheriff's Department, he will be relatively close to home with a chance to actually come home when there is time off. With the Guard, we think there is too much chance that he will be sent at least across state with travel limited so who knows when he would be able to come home. In a worst case scenario there wouldn't be any kind of communication. We just feel the likelyhood of a dangerous first few months is too great to take the chance. I for one, am very much relieved at this point. Incidently, an "unofficial" source told us that at some point in time - most likely mid summer- depending on how things go- there may well be a freeze on resigning from the military and the Guard. Something for others thinking of resigning to think about...

-- Valkyrie (anon@please.net), March 07, 1999.

"Incidently, an 'unofficial' source told us that at some point in time - most likely mid summer- depending on how things go- there may well be a freeze on resigning from the military and the Guard."

Thanks, Valkyrie...very interesting. A "freeze" huh? For a lil' 'ol "bump in the road"?? Do you think the government might be hiding something from us? :>) I can certainly see why your husband is resigning!

Thanks Walt. I thought some men might feel that way.... :>)

-- Scarlett (ohara@tara.net), March 07, 1999.