Former soldiers slow to report (Army threatens desertion charges)

[NeoConsSuck]

WASHINGTON — Fewer than two-thirds of the former soldiers being reactivated for duty in Iraq and elsewhere have reported on time, prompting the Army to threaten some with punishment for desertion.
The former soldiers, part of what is known as the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), are being recalled to fill shortages in skills needed for the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Of the 1,662 ready reservists ordered to report to Fort Jackson, S.C., by Sept. 22, only 1,038 had done so, the Army said Monday. About 500 of those who failed to report have requested exemptions on health or personal grounds.

"The numbers did not look good," said Lt. Col. Burton Masters, a spokesman for the Army's Human Resources Command. "We are tightening the system, reaching the people and bringing them in."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-09-27-reserves_x.htm

[molly]

1. Once there you'd have to be crazy to go back

let them send the bush twins.

on edit.....

"Punishment for being AWOL is up to the unit commander and can include prison time and dishonorable discharge, said Col. Joseph Curtin, an Army spokesman."

[LuminousX]

5. Can it be applied retroactively?

Like if these soldiers were already given an honorable discharge, can that be taken away from them and have them thrown in prison?

Just asking.

[molly]

12. If it hasn't happened by now don't count on it

people are petrified of the bush family.

[sam sarrha]

7. unless you are privilaged like our Dick Weed pResident...

[saigon68]

2. NICE RECRUITING MESSAGE IN THE FUTURE

You have to be crazy to join the service today unless you have a death wish or a Psychotic reason to Kill People.

[TacticalPeek]

3. I believe they can't ship you without a physical.

So, if they don't want to go, they should simply skip their physical.

This is also an appropriate time to busy themselves with some Senator's election campaign.

Just tell LTC Masters that they have "worked it out with the military" to pursue other priorities and I'm sure he'll understand.

:evilgrin:

[trogdor]

10. ...or fix it so you fail.

Being overweight is a fairly easy way to fail. I think I could be made to exceed the height/weight table in AR 600-9 by at least forty pounds on fairly short notice. Once recalled, maintaining that weight on mess hall food should be a piece of cake. Literally.

Aggravating a recent injury could possibly get you a profile bad enough to get you sent home. Doing it by means of excessive PT prior to shipping out makes you look like a hero.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. John Kerry is the perfect man to restore confidence at this time

The guy has stood in these people's shoes. He won't jerk them around like Bush.

[markus]

6. Follow Your Leader -- Don't Report!

Hell, I don't care if its a friggin' crime to induce desertion.

If it's good enough for the Commander-in-Chief, it's good enough for the rest of them.

And while we're at it, let's insist that soldiers be given the right to strike until they are paid the same wages the U. S. Government will remiburse for private security thugs.

[King Coal]

8. Well, maybe they have other priorities.

[gratuitous]

9. How does Masters know they aren't working on a campaign?

You know, like the commander in chief did in 1972 when he blew off the remainder of his obligation? Heck, he'd served four years, and when you think about it, that's about a C-minus fulfillment of his obligation, so what's the problem?

I remember a story from a couple of weeks back they were trying to track down some 57-year-old guy named Luis Jaime Trevino who was on 100% disability, deaf, with skin cancer. But America's freedom depends on Mr. Trevino returning to the service. Jenna and Bar Jr. have other priorities right now, doncha know.

[Rose Siding]

11. Must all be busy working on campaigns...

for repub candidates in Alabama :shrug:

[Supersedeas]

13. Ready Reserve to fill SHORTAGES needed in Iraq and Afghanistan

[llmart]

14. Ready Reserve = Cannon fodder.....

for Bush/Cheney's enrichment.