Reservist Issues Discussion

An anti-Reservist/Guard bias is clearly present in the Bush Administration and it's Department of Defense.

This time the manifestation of it comes in the way of National Guard and Reserve troop reductions. The reductions echoes a continuingly present Bush DoD theme:

Sacrifice the Reserves at every opportunity. Today they comprise 40% of the force in Iraq and have for some time.

They have been allowed to wither via the demands of that service, as its equipment is drained from them and their personnel given little incentive other than patriotism to remain in the Guard/Reserves (or recruit their neighbor or family members) once demobilized.

As fine a sentiment as patriotism is, and as generously displayed as it has been in the ranks Reserve and Guard personnel, they should not be exploited because of its very clear existance in their hearts and souls.

But steps are constantly rejected by the Bush Department of Defense to enable service in the Guard and Reserve.

Surviving Spouses of members eligible, KIAs and so on, Disabled Veterans at 50% and above disability, eligible for retire pay at 60, but under 60, retired reservists - all have something in common:

The 2006 Defense Authorization Bill, now on its way for a Presidential signature, calls for a study, to be completed within the next year. 

How exciting!

It would advise Congress on the feasibility of space-a inclusion for gray area reservist retirees and 50% and up DAVs... and their dependants.