I served on Army active duty and Army resurve for 10 yrs, now I am on the "In-active list" and have been for some time now. That means uncle sam will not call me for duty unless they are ready to activate the draft. By rights I am too old to be requited.

I have what the military call a specialty MOS (military occupation), I am a transportation coordinator. I am a Persain Gulf Vet.

Never befor has the National Guard paid any attention to me what-so-ever. But now all of a sudden I have cought thier eye. They have sent me a request to join the National Guard.

I am not going to take them up on thier offer.

Has anyone else noticed the National Guard wanting to requite prior military personal? My second question.... Does the National Guard have "drafting" power?

Bulldog

-- bulldog (sniffin@around.com), June 04, 1999

Answers

Bulldog,

First things first. Thank you so much for your service.

I think I read that FEMA, under times of emergency, has the power to enlist the help of whomever they desire. Under those circumstances they have really broad, sweeping powers that suspend the constitution.

I would bet that although you may not be "drafted", if you're wanted you'll be notified. I think everyone who is needed might be drafted into some kind of "public service."

Just speculating of course.

Mike =================================================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), June 04, 1999.

trust me - the only scary thing about the national guard sending you a letter - is that they didn't have to pay for the mailing list. Look around - recruitment for any and all services is at an all time low - folks make more money at a fast food joint - than for entry level part time military. All branches, all services all components are turning to the IRR lists - for potential candidates. Don't take it personal.

-- peon (in@the.know), June 04, 1999.

I believe, if you will check, that in a time of national crisis or war, the military can call up anyone who has ever been in the military up to the age of 60 (it may be 62 now - not sure). Nat'l Guard as well as regular military are short a lot of specialties now. Because of Kosovo and Iraq, transportation may be one of them. My husband just got out of the Guard - he was Nam vet so you can guess how long he has been in. Because of cut backs, it now takes 11 months for them to process his retirement papers for pay. Sure hope they are up and running by July 2000!!

-- Valkyrie (anon@please. net), June 04, 1999.

The Guard is always looking for former military personnel. They have a much lower training washout rate than off-the street recuits. In fact, while I was on active duty, I always got Guard recruitment offers in the mail. Even from states I had no association with.

Second, the Guard does not have any role in the draft. That is, if you don't count the fact that people legally seeking to avoid the draft use the Guard as a way to meet a legal obligation for military service.

The Army National Guard and Air National Guard and their new motto: "Rather to serve stacking sandbags along the Mississippi, than sandbagging your foxhole in Serbia."

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), June 04, 1999.

I have 15 years in the Air Guard. Have been in the IRR for 1 year now. O-5 rank with 2 critical AFSC's. Have not received anything from recruiters.

-- lparks (lparks@eurekanet.com), June 04, 1999.