Isn't the national guard more in spirit with the tradition of George Washington's army and the minutemen? Why do we have this giant professional army instead of a citizen army?
133321
I won't give a lengthy answer about this but why would we get rid of something just because it strays from its original creation?  That would be like getting rid of technology because we didn't have it as advanced in our history.
270748
Well, for me it was simple. I was young and needed discepline and guidence in my life. I felt like the Army would give that to me while at the same time, I was doing something that I could be proud of. I don't think people join just to fight. I think it is more about a sense of ownership in who you are and what you believe in with regerds to what this country was built on and stands for and what it really means to be and American. It's being a part of one of the largest "Teams" in the world with one goal in mind...hte protection of this great country and all who call it home.  \n\nWhile I was in the Army, my job was not to die for my country....it was to provide the enemy with the maximum opportunity to die for his. ;-)
542205
I will give you an eyewitness statement. First, I'm not from Texas (I'm a Tar Heel!!! - GO NC!!), second I'm not in the National Guard, I'm active duty. Now the account, I served with an active duty battalion that was assigned 2 National Guard companies - one was from Kansas and one was from Texas. They were truck companies, and both saw heavy action. On a side note, I found both units to be extremely professional in their duties. Neither shirked from any mission assigned to them and had an amazing "Can Do" attitude. If I had any negative comments about the Guard units I have served with - they are minor. I found they had a bit of a height/weight and PT shortcoming, but they more than made up for that with their Mission First attitude. My BC had a board in his office/tent with a collection of all the Guard patches of units we had run into over there. I don't recall a single state missing from his board - we even had a couple territory patches (Guam and PR). So whoever posted that on a Yahoo Board is simply giving into conspiracy BS and once again, as they almost always seem to be - are yapping away and have NEVER spent a day. Isn't it curious how the folks who seem to to come up with this crap have a mysterious lack of service to go along with their tripe?
50955
First, Marines are NOT soldiers.  No disrespect intended, but we do not like the term.  Soldiers are in the U.S. Army.  Secondly, when I went to boot camp, nearly 20 years ago, we had extensive training on Marine Corps history.  Smedley Butler was celebrated in song when we marched, ran, or worked out.  I would be surprised if the same is no longer true.\nThank you for honoring a true American hero.
415364
1st off less is more, I'm not sure if YOU understand what your question was,  and to quote you "Currently, there are more than enough people enlisting in the armed forces nationwide to sustain our military needs." where did you get your information? If we stay in middle of this civil war, we will not have enough to protect what we need to protect .I think you are afraid of being drafted.
434414
Sounds a bit socialist to me. \n\nOnce upon a time, there was a country called America, we fought wars on our own soil and we fought bravely. We were allowed to carry guns and protect ourselves and families. Now the government doesn't think we can protect ourselves or are brave enough to fight if nessasary. \n\nNo, just because you don't believe in the patriot act doesn't mean you are not a patriot. It means you feel you are brave enough to fight what comes along. They shouldn't be tapping US they should be tapping other countries!
380956
I agree, he is definitely no soldier. As a soldier myself, I've never heard of the unit "2nd Bn, Ranger" either. There are A LOT of 2nd BNs out there.\n\nHis unit should look something like mine does here;\n81st RSC (Higher command), 640th TC Det (My individual unit), we’re out of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa Florida.\n\nAlso, no real Republican wants to pull out of Iraq (much like Libs, difference is we don't lie bout it)\n\nAnd, if what Rebecca says is true I guess I'm no soldier either, I serve in the Army Reserve, which is almost the same as the National Guard.\n\nOh, and in case she hasn't noticed, just as many Reserve and Guard soldiers have been fighting this war as Active Duty soldiers. Same can be said for a lot of other wars/conflicts.
536628
Although Letter Carriers swear to protect and defend the Constitution they have very little to do with national defense.  If the army crumbles we would be left in the hands of the national guard, state and local police forces.  After that it would be like the movie "Red Dawn" where average citizens had to rise to the occasion.
564200
The Minutemen are a tremendous asset to our border patrol.  For the UNINFORMED, the minutemen have saved MANY lives by rescuing illegals from.death on the desert.  But NO, you pro illegals do not want to talk about that.  All you want to state is that they are stopping illegals from crossing the border.\n\nI believe that the Minutemen should get a federal grant to subsidize their efforts.  After all, our politicians are doing absolutely NOTHING!
308890
Careful there!  Though I do agree that they have tarnished the word severly.\n\nI am a Patriot in the purest sense of the word!  I selflessly served this country for over 21 years.  My service was in defense of The Constitution in accordance with the oath that I took many times.\n\nMost of the current leadership have forgotten the critical phrase in their oaths:  "I will ... preserve, protect and defend The Constitution of the United States."  Those who fail to do that may call themselves Patriots but they are NOT!\n\nDo not tarnish me with the brush of the False Patriots!
228316
But I must give you a background information first. And therefore I am starting to talk about 1850s. We didnt have a standing federal army and we have never thought of having one bec. we thought that no one would attack so big a country like ours. But then things started to change. We feared from loosing our commercial interests all over the world to England which was the greatest threat for our well-being in the second half of the 19th century. So our standing army was established as a Navy to protect our commercial ships and interests overseas. We always tried to adjust our filos by comparing our power with that of England. We were very careful to maintain a few more and larger ships than those of England. Iam not sure if I have to relate everything in a more detailed way. Would you please clarify what exactly you want to know
308208
It is part of their job. When you join the guard the oath is to protect America from all threats both foreign and domestic. Fact - Illegal aliens are breaking the law. \n\nThe guard on the border is a great idea.\n\nIF (1) they are going to have any power to enforce the law. \nIF (2)they do more than just stand there and watch. It will be a waste of time if the illegals can just either walk over them or move down the road and run over the border. \n\nGive the troops the ability and means to keep illegals out. \n\nSupport the troops no matter where they are, Iraq , Afghanistan or the Mexican border.\n\nAlso the plan is to keep the troops there until more border guards are trained. How long that is depends on how smart the border guard trainees are.
406624
The National Guard Is A STATE BASED Military\n\nNational Guardsmen Report To \nAnd Follow The Orders Of\nThe Governor Of The State\n\nThe Governor Can Opt To Order His Guardsmen \nTo Report To And Follow The Orders Of\nThe Federal Government (US Army)\nWhich Is Why Our National Guardsmen Are In IRAQ\n\nThe "Well Regulated Militia" \nMentioned In Amendment 2 (Bill Of Rights)\nIs, For All  Sake Of THIS Particular Arguement\n " the people of its own state \ndeclaring war for its own state \nif there is a threat to the state \nand congress does not act "\n\nIf The Governor Of A Particular State\nOpted To DEFEND His State In The Event Of \n 1 - A Natural Disaster\n 2 - A HUGE UNRULY MOB (Domestic Enemy)\n 3 - The Federal Government (Domestic Enemy)\nOR\nFrom An Outside Threat (Foreign Enemy)\nThat The Federal Government Refuses To Recognize\n(congress does not act) \nThe Governor Would Mobilize His National Guardsmen\n\n\n\n\n\n\nI Hope I Understood Your Question\nAnd\nI Hope I Answered It For You
647266
Because the National Guard was set up to get around Posse Comitatus by being fully funded by the state they are there to protect. They may get federal money from grants and such, but the grant money goes to the state, not the military unit. Then the STATE itself funds the units needs. As a military unit fully funded by the state, and for the state, is is lawful for the Governor of the state to order them into civilian action, not as an Army unit, but as a deputized law enforcement unit under the control of the Governor's office. Or whatever other reason he needs them. (For example, he/she can order medical personel into the field and set up medical facilities for civilians.) FEDERAL troops, such as a Marine detachment, or a Regular Army (or RA) detachment could not participate in these same actions except as in a supporting role only, as is the case with the federal troops supporting the local and federal law enforcement agencies along the Mexican border. They have no arrest authority, but use sophisticated techniques and sheer manpower to support those who do.
167401
The USA care more about protecting it's citizens????\n\nNO !!!\n\nIt's because they are involved in many other peoples wars !!!
610632
IT's better for trained officials to be under attack and able to fight back then for American civilians to be attacked in our own country and be completely defensless. I don't want our troops to be dead or in danger, but they are protecting this country. Think about that before you try to debate. Eventually, Iraq will become stable!! They will....but only once we rid them of the people who are against a stable goverment. They need help and it's not all about helping them either. On Semptember 11, so many Americans died because a few idiots decided to hurt us. We are just paying them back the favor. You have a good point but think about reasons why we should be there too
419071
The statistics are a little off since you are not accounting for all of the seriously injured people which is in the 10's of thousands who barely survived, plus we have never maintained a force of 160,000!!!!  Our force is more like 140,000 and only about 15,000 of those troops are assigned to direct combat roles, the rest are support troops.  Plus 2112, is a bit low.  CNN puts it at 2,885 just for the Americans as of 11/30/06.  So when you factor your statistics drag 15,000 over more like 32 months at this point and then factor in the 2,885 for a more reality based statistic.\n\nThen you may want to look at minority statistics in D.C. before you keep this up.  I doubt there are too many upper class white government officials getting whacked in D.C.  Then look at poor minority murders in the area and you are looking at more like 500:100,000.  \n\nPoint with all of this is when you don't know how to look at the statistics and your original criteria is off you are never going to come to a proper conclusion.