Army Begins Action to Discharge Reservists

[Maggie_May]

WASHINGTON - The Army took initial steps Monday to expel dozens of reservists who failed to report for active duty, in effect warning hundreds of others that they too could be penalized if they don't heed orders to return to active service.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060109/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/army_reservists_expelled;_ylt=AtrlQoiS5.Z_uI4oBpWRZg2s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3b2NibDltBHNlYwM3MTY-

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[matcom]

3. as a Veteran, I agree

HONORABLE discharge for refusing an illegal war.

you sir, are a visionary :thumbsup:

[Poll_Blind]

4. Though I'm suspicious of your motives, one the face of it I agree.

If they're taking money for services they do not provide there is no reason their employer (government or otherwise) should continue paying them. I have no problem with the government even asking for the money to be paid back during the time that those who were not reporting for duty- it's only fair. However, if I was in the reserves I would consider it a very easy out to pay back the money, get the discharge and redouble their efforts to stop this bullshit war.

PB

[Geoff R. Casavant]

11. These folks aren't taking money

The article doesn't refer to drilling Selected Reserve members, but to Individual Ready Reserve members. These are folks who have done their standard 4-year hitch, but technically still under obligation.

[Poll_Blind]

17. Thank you for the correction, I should have known the asshole's....

....premise would be false in some way. Oh well...(sigh)

PB

[MADem]

20. Yep, IRR don't get a dime--the "benefits" they get are the standard

crap that accrues to vets--access to some health care if you are indigent, burial in a military cemetery (not Arlington, though--active duty or retirees only, there), the brass burial plate with name-rank-wars and dates on it, the flag on the grave every military holiday...that sort of thing. Most of the benefits, you have to be dead to collect!

[matcom]

6. another fucking coward

c'mon back and troll some more (and answer THIS veteran's post) :eyes:

[Maggie_May]

9. I really wish you wouldn't delete these message

It just shows how ignorant these people are to whats really going on in our military.

[NightOwwl]

2. Quote from the article (bold is mine):

"If the panels conclude they intentionally did not obey a mobilization order, they would face one of three levels of discharge from the service: honorable, general or other-than-honorable.

They do not face criminal charges."

To me, that's a hell of a better choice than getting killed in this sham war. I support these reservists 100%.

[Poll_Blind]

5. Well they don't face charges, per se, but an other-than-honorable...

...discharge prevents them from applying for certain government jobs, if I recall correctly. Not too big a deal but still a penalty.

PB

[mom cat]

8. Not a bad tradeoff for missing a ticket to death and disability.

[Poll_Blind]

10. Agreed! Whole-heartedly agreed! n/t

PB

[IndianaGreen]

7. We are talking about real OLD people here!

The Army is calling up their Ready Reserve, composed mostly of people that served their time and that have been in their civilian jobs for years. I don't blame them for not reporting!

[cal04]

12. Army is discharging reservists who refused to mobilize

The Army on Monday began moves to expel dozens of reserve soldiers who failed to report for duty months after being mobilized for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, in effect serving notice to hundreds of others that they could face penalties for ignoring or refusing orders to return to active duty.

The proceedings mark a turning point in the Army’s struggle to contact, train and deploy thousands of Individual Ready Reserve soldiers, nearly half of whom have requested a delay in returning, asked to be exempt or simply ignored their orders. The soldiers in this category of reserve status, who have served previously on active duty but not completed their eight-year service obligation, are different than those in the National Guard or Reserve, and they are rarely mobilized.

The Army began mobilizing them in the summer of 2004, reflecting the enormous strain it felt in providing enough soldiers for Iraq at a time when it was becoming apparent that no early withdrawal was likely. So far, mobilization orders have been issued for more than 5,700 IRR soldiers since mid-2004. The Army announced that about 80 soldiers will face review panels, known as separation boards, although the number may grow.


If it is determined that they intentionally failed to obey a mobilization order, they would face one of three levels of discharge from the service: honorable, general or other-than-honorable. They do not face criminal charges. “Because of these soldiers’ disregard of their duty, the Army will initiate separation proceedings on all IRR soldiers who fail to obey mobilization orders,” the Army said in a statement explaining its decision to act.



http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1456359.php

[neuvocat]

13. This is punishment???

[NanceGreggs]

14. Isn't this the 'all volunteer army' that Rumsfeld ...

... is always on about?

If they're really desparate for more military, why don't they 'call up' the five-time deferment crowd? I hear a lot of them have changed their tune about the necessity of all American patriots to serve these days ...

[dweller]

15. what if they had a war

and nobody came?

dp

[Hardrada]

16. The Army has stared Resistance in the face

and blinked! This is a win.

[Earth_First]

18. Good for them!

[AnneD]

19. My personal decision on this

I had served in the USAR for 6 years and was in Inactive Ready Reserve for 2 years. When I signed up, I signed up to protect and defend my country. I was young, single, and truly believe in giving back to my country.
My daughter was born in early 1990. SH rolled into Kuwait. I made the decision that 1) I had already done more than most with regard to service. 2) I was breastfeeding a newborn-nothing they could threaten me with would make me leave my child to go into combat. The macho intimidation crap would not work (you have to make child care arrangement when you enlist- soldier). I didn't get a call up but I got a request to come in for a physical but never went in. I was smart enough to know that once I went in ... that would have been it.
Some of these guys might have already served, maybe been stop loss-ed. You are an 'inactive' reserve, accruing neither money nor benefits. Considering the military's fine track record in treating their vets:sarcasm: I don't blame these guys one bit. Let them find some other 'volunteer'.