U.S. Servicemen React to Bush Guard Memos

[JI7]

<Frank Jones says he's angry about newly revealed memos that indicate President Bush got preferential treatment in the Air National Guard during the Vietnam war, but he's not surprised by favoritism in the Guard.

Jones, a Republican from Troy, N.Y., served in Vietnam in 1970 and 1971 before doing 16 years in the Guard himself. As the presidential election nears, Jones says controversy over both candidates' military records and the mounting death toll in Iraq are important issues.

Some current and retired members of the National Guard and other military services say the newly revealed Bush documents do not bother them, while others say they are troubling.

Lt. Col. Jim Driscoll, spokesman for the Georgia Army National Guard, said retired service members may comment on political issues such as the Bush documents, but most current reservists and active-duty service members will hesitate to voice their political opinions.

Ahmad Majied of Albany says the latest allegations about Bush's military record are more troubling to him than allegations about service honors leveled at Democratic challenger Kerry.

"He had enough money to get what he wanted," Majied said. "I think his main concern was not to go to Southeast Asia. I bet he never dreamed it would come back to haunt him.">

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040911/APA/409110723

[movonne]

1. IT SHOULD BOTHER THEM!!!! They went he didn't....

[napi21]

2. I still think the biggest problem is not performing to NG standards.

Most everyone knows you could get into the NG back then if you had the right connections, and that was the legal way you ducked the draft. It's really no big deal. The statements about shrub not performing to TANG standards and refusing a direct order is something else. The folks who did get in the NG knew they better toe the line, because the penalty was IMMEDIATE transfer to active dute in 'Nam. That's MORE than preferential treatment!