Is it true that the TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD has not been to Iraq yet?
968972
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?
132017
Unfortunately, yes he can. If the unit he is attached to is activated and deployed to Iraq (or anywhere else, for that matter), then he's going to be going with them.\n\nYou didn't mention which branch he belongs to, but for all branches it is basically the same - you go when they tell you to go. Some units have been (re)deployed to Iraq several times now, in a row.\n\nAnd to add a further kick to it, the military has the right to extend any tours in Iraq for up to two years if they feel it is warranted. They're not doing it so much any more, but the chance still exists.
401987
I haven't heard this rumor, but considering the short turnarounds the 101st has already had, I wouldn't doubt another quick deployment.
975069
that is hoping for to much, my man is deploying in march, and 3 other neighbors in may 2007 all in different units. this wont happen until a vote is cast on a specific date etc... however how about pray for the safety of our troops more? that is always appreciated, even by the people who dont believe in God. (sorry)
570024
No, it's not true.\nVoluntary signups for the armed services are way down.  Some officials have even been discussing reinstating the draft.  If there were plenty of recruits for the armed forces, there wouldn't be so many National Guard folks over in Iraq -- their job is supposed to be domestic defense, not war abroad.
809625
They have been for a long time.\n\nEver since G.H.W.Bush was chief of the CIA, it has handled the transport of the illegal drugs sold by the Bush clan into Texas for distribution around the country. Brought in by boat normally.\n\nOr did you have something else in mind?
592469
NO I did not.  I spent 7 years in Texas and that was long enough for me!!! NCLB and the oil crisis were just being "born."
608132
My Mom and Dad have a memberin the Air National Guard thatis currentlyactive.... ME (LOL)   Im currenly stationed in Houston Texas.
281726
Not active...The Alamo could be considered a military base in an historical sense...
618067
Where are they going to find the National Guardsmen to do this?  Most Guardsmen are at the maximum time they can be involuntarily called to active duty.\n\nAnother thing to remember is that we are soldiers - not border patrol.
890611
Don't worry..its just a staging area.....i think the Salvation Army is the next group being called up for deployment. They'll have to change (no pun intented)tactics for Iraq.
129101
It is not peer pressure that makes them go to Iraq. They are ordered to go. If you get ordered to go, you go. This was known to them when they signed up.
526622
The border is broken.  I have been a supporter of Bush, but I have to say, I think he dropped the ball on this one.  Putting 6000 National Guard troops is like putting a band-aid on someone who's bleeding to death.  I say this because the role of the National Guard will be a "behind-the scenes" operation.  At least something is being done, but I don't think it's enough.  This has been a problem for a very long time, and I think this should have been fixed before it got so far out of hand.  I did like what Bush said about ending the "catch and release" of illegals.  Well, to summarize...yes, he should have done more, but I suppose this is a start...One can only hope.
684764
There are no laws against using our military to secure our border.\n\nThere is a law against using the military to enforce Civil law without presidential authorization but this law does not apply to the National Guard.
1171912
Yes they are.  I conducted operations with them during the year that I was in Iraq.  Obviously all the other people who answered have never been there.  For all the operations that they conduct though, you will not hear about them.  The SF with us did very little training with our Iraqi counterparts.  I can't tell you what they did, because we just can't talk about those operations.
498223
no, i know for a fact.  right before we left Iraq we went to check on a site that we handed over tho the security forces and they weren't even there...oh well!!  and they have a tendency to run away once the shit hits the fan.  but maybe they changed...
579717
Do you know the original station of the unit? Like the 82nd Airborne might be deployed to iraq or wherever, but their origin is Fort Bragg N.Carolina. If you know their origin you could try contacting the post and get in touch with their "Family Readiness Group", this group supports families back home like spouses and children. They always know where there family members are (ok, 80% of the time). You can probably run a general search like "Fort Bragg home page" and look for the post operator's phone number or the post directory.