If soldiers are forced to remain on duty...

[Beloved Citizen]

...past the time they contracted for, are they still volunteers? Or have they become conscripts?

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

1. Well they are still volunteers

technically, but they are volunteers who have fallen under the "stop-loss" plan. Most active duty know all about this and the possibility of it. Reservists may be caught a bit more off-guard the first time this happens to them.

At this point, nothing should surprise anyone in the military, though. Seems as if all bets are off.

[papercut]

2. The first word that came to my mind

was slaves.

[proud patriot]

3. Welcome Underground papercut

:hi: That's the first thing I thought as well.
Will they not get arrested for being AWOL if
they decide to leave ?

[DieboldMustDie]

6. Keep our Slaves Safe

Have you seen this article?
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0528-11.htm

[DEMVET-USMC]

4. THIS ADMIN. IS ABUSING OUR TROOPS many Guard and Reservists

are doing second tours in War zones. One was recently convicted of desertion for refusing to go back to Iraq, His claim for conscience objector was denied and he was sentenced to a year in prison. He was a combat Vet and this the thanks he gets for his service. I seem to recall a certain piss ant who is now president not bothering to event fulfill his Stateside duty and nothing ever happened to him...Oscar

[mike1963]

5. The contract I signed allowed for a number of additional years in the

Ready Reserve (long since expired for me) - it's legal but I don't think it's right...

[tabasco]

7. Regardless what they are called ...

many will have the mindset of a conscript. Some will be professional about it but many will have serious attitude problems. I know I would be pissed if they did this to me.
This contingency is in the contract, so it's not really "past the time they contracted for." But specifically being stop-lossed to go back to Iraq is a real pisser.

[DEMVET-USMC]

9. You Got That Right Buddy

One of the guys who got called back up after he had completed his enlistment lost both feet and I am sure there those who have died and suffered grievous injuries. It`s not fair whether it`s legal or not....Oscar

[othermeans]

8. They signed the papers but do you think they'll vote Republican?

Their families? Their friends? The American people? I can see the news shows grinding away now about how unfair it is.

[AwakeAtLast]

10. They should be paid overtime

Time and a half, I say!

My spouse enlisted (National Guard) for the same reasons most people have used in the last year: he lost his job. He chose a non-combat postition, but that will not absolve him from being deployed in combat situations if that's what our leaders decide to do.

BTW, we have experienced a few untruths already, and he has been in for only three months. I tried to tell him that the recruiters were trying to sell him a polished turd, but he has had his heart set on this for a while. Losing his job was the catalyst. I miss him a lot, and so does my two-year-old. After reading the latest news about extensions and delayed retirements, I am not very optimistic about him being able to come home when he is supposed to.

Sorry to rant on and on, but this is very personal for me and very frustrating! :grr: