CA Guard Troops May Face Mandatory Iraq Duty

[Kadie]

Dec 21, 2006 6:26 am US/Pacific


CA Guard Troops May Face Mandatory Iraq Duty

(CBS 5) SACRAMENTO As the U.S. looks to possibly send more military servicemembers to the war in Iraq, President Bush may be looking to change the rules of deployment and force some California National Guard troops to serve two tours of duty, according to one official.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, about 22,000 members of the California National Guard have served in the war on terror -- that's just about every available soldier. Re-enlistments have added 5,000 men and women to the pool of Guard troops available for duty in Iraq.

About 20 percent of the force is voluntarily doing a second tour of duty. But more could end up serving another tour.

Current Defense Department rules block a second mandatory deployment for two years. But one California National Guard official believes President Bush might look to change the rules as early as next month.

"They would like to only involuntarily mobilize a soldier or airman once. That policy is under revision right now at the national level. The president may make some changes to that," said California National Guard Col. Kerry Diminyatz.

more...
http://cbs13.com/topstories/local_story_355092744.html

[babylonsister]

1. Yes, that's where he plans on getting the warm bodies for a surge

should that happen. I don't understand why the Nat'l Guard would get behind this unless they have no choice.

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. They have no choice

The National Guard is only nominally under the control of the state governors. In reality and under the law, they belong to the President body and soul, no different than any other person in the Armed Forces. If the President orders them deployed for a second or third tour, all the governors can do is make an outcry.

[babylonsister]

3. Thanks, I didn't know that. So now we wait for the outcry; it's coming,

I pray.

[Squatch]

4. The current 24-mo mobilization deferrment policy is the single

most important recruiting tool the NG uses to bring on prior active duty servicemembers.