National Guard/Reserves Expanding Training

[guitar-nut]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/story/2012-07-30/army-guard-reserve-training/56595948/1?AID=4992781&PID=4166869&SID=16gufww7qa33s

The end of fighting in Iraq and the drawdown in Afghanistan will not mean a return to a peacetime schedule of drilling one weekend a month and two weeks a year for the 550,000 citizen soldiers of the Army's National Guard and Reserve, according to the Army's top general.

Instead, they will keep preparing for war, with training periods away from home each year that would grow from a two-week block to up to seven weeks, Gen. Ray Odierno, Army chief of staff said in an interview Monday with USA TODAY. Drilling one weekend a month would continue.

Select National Guard or Reserve units would be part of a five-year cycle of training, available for deployment the last year of that period probably for no more than 30 to 45 days, he said.

What do you guys think of this? I'm not upset (more active duty pay, more training, less time at a civilian job I hate), but it is a pretty significant change. Also, wouldn't the logistics of deploying a unit for 30-45 days be somewhat costly and impractical?

[Maddog5150]

Not going to happen. Few years back, they were cancelling drills due to lack of funds. The state will still have to pay for this and with the economy being in the dumps, who's going to pay to house, feed and train for state soldiers? Also could be bad for guardsmen in already. Telling an employer you're going to be gone almost 2 months a year is going to get people fired, it may be ilegal to do so but its never stopped anyone in the past.
Interested to see how this will play out

[guitar-nut]

Not going to happen. Few years back, they were cancelling drills due to lack of funds. The state will still have to pay for this and with the economy being in the dumps, who's going to pay to house, feed and train for state soldiers? Also could be bad for guardsmen in already. Telling an employer you're going to be gone almost 2 months a year is going to get people fired, it may be ilegal to do so but its never stopped anyone in the past.
Interested to see how this will play out

That's kind of what I was thinking as well. With budget cuts on top of already low state funds, I don't see them being able to afford it, particularly in this state. Not to mention that while I wouldn't have a problem going to a seven week training, a lot of people would and it would probably kill recruitment for the guard.

[Maddog5150]

Oh I think it would be awesome. Just not going to happen

[QQQ]

Seven week minimum commitment in addition to the current minimum requirements would kill it for most working professionals.

It would increase the divide between the military and civilian populations.

Who's going to pay for it?

This is a bad idea.

[CavTrooper]

IMHO Gen. Odierno has done some very interesting things to the Army, Im trying to figure out what his motivation is.

[cc56]

I don't see it happening either. In my personal case I am in Aviation and you have to do more than 1 weekend a month 2 weeks a year. If they bumped it up anymore I would get out (Over 10 years already). How do you expect to get people esp college students? Where can you squeeze in anymore training time? If you want to be in school and be guardsman you can't do spring semester/summer/ or winter?? Financial issues will be a big hindrance. Even though it is illegal to not hire reserves everyone already does it. The city (fire/police) people are set, but what about people like me who work in a small office?

I truly think this is a scare tactic to get people to leave instead of having to boot people. If you are willing to do 7 weeks A.T. then we want you, if not get out.

[Maddog5150]

Well you know people who go to school get a pass and are let off of AT without getting a bad year. Many times they dont even have to prove they are going to school but I suspect it's because we are so broke.

[NiteQwill]

Never going to happen. It would be professional suicide for many Soldiers. Imagine owning or running a business that requires you to leave 2 months out the year? Even 2 weeks is difficult for most, and although employers must accommodate, they will greatly frown upon it.

[LMTluvr]

Ha! Won't happen! JFHQ just recently relinquished the order that all dual aftp's required pre-approval. Ados orders were allowed to expired, no replacements. This states broke as a joke.