I voted too for the other guy and I agree 100%!!!!

also the Guards were meant to stay here to protect our country from violence and from others to come in. I SUPPORT ALL THE TROOPS.....

what ever happened to I WILL NOT SEND ANYMORE TROOPS OVER, I voted for this beauty, but I think he needs to get out. I had 2 nephews over there and they could go agian. I think this is crap.

I Voted , so I have a right to bash, and I voted for the other guy , twice

When these men and women join the National Guard they know that there is a chance, should something happen, that they would have to go to war. Just support them and encourage them for all the great things they do for us. Pray for our leaders instead of bashing their decisions. We are not in there shoes and have no idea what it's like.

Have had 3 brothers in the military (active ARMY, AIR FORCE, and MARINES) none of which did not see combat (thank god) but I have 5 to 6 cousins in the Guards and Reserves which most are on their 2nd (and 3rd) deployment.. where is the JUSTICE in that.. My brothers signed up (because of the "Selective Service" process) and never saw combat, but they are one of the best Deer Hunters I've seen, as for my cousins.. they are in a area where flying bullets are an every day thing, they are in more danger of being harmed, because they are RESERVIST OR GUARD MEMBERS.. Thank you PRESEDENT BUSH and your people in the white house..
Be safe (all the young men and women in the guard and reserves) come home soon!!!

I'm sorry, I should have been more clear.
I agree that Reserve and National Guard were used extensively in WWII. That was a WORLD war, where we were needed to fight on many fronts. My family has a long history of serving in the military, and some have given their lives. None of us takes our service, whether Active Duty, Reserve or National Guard, lightly.
However, we have not used our reserve troops in actual combat over the last 50 years until this war in Iraq. Even drafted active duty soldiers were not required to serve more than 1 year in combat in Vietnam. Why are some National Guard and Reserve units now being used so extensively and for 2, 3 or more tours involuntarily? Are we that short of Active Duty troops? If we are, we have had at least 5 years to rectify that.
I'm not arguing whether the US should be in Iraq, but why are the National Guard and Reserves (and their equipment) being used to the detriment of the states that may need them?

I am not going to argue the point but they also were used in WWII storming the beach at Normandy they also were used for the Baton Death March where only 35 members of the Janesville unit returned home all the rest were killed. That is only a few examples. The guards are used more than people think.

Yes I know the role of the National Guard, having served a few years in it myself. My father was also in the National Guard when he was called to active duty with the 32nd Inf Div in 1961-1962, to Ft Lewis, Washington.
Being called up federally in the past, however, has been reserved for national disasters and threats to the country, not being relied upon as the main troop source for wars in other countries. The US used National Guard troops minimally in the Vietnam war, except to quell campus rioting at places like UW-Madison and Kent State University in Ohio.
My point is, using the states' military forces in Iraq has depleted many states' national defense and disaster relief capabilities.

as a wife of a national guard soldier they have a state mission and a federal mission. They can
be called up by either the state government or the federal government.

StaceyU2, I agree with you 100%!
Katrina would most likely have been dealt with much more quickly if Louisiana's National Guard and Reserve components wouldn't have been gutted at the time.
I also have no respect for the shrub who ducked out in a Reserve unit (getting leap-frogged over the guys waiting to join) to almost guarantee not being sent to Vietnam. Ironic, isn't it, that he sends most of our reserve forces to fight this war. I volunteered to join the Regular Army at that time, and this yahoo took the easy way out.
As for now, Reserves, National Guard and Regular branches of all the services have my full support, and come home safe!

AND WE HAVE A REGULAR ARMY FOR WHAT PURPOSE.. Thes kids need to stay state side to help with our country.. Don't get me wrong , I will back our military 100%..as for the Village IDIOT we have in Washington, he needs to go home (they are looking for him). The Guard and Reserves were established to protect our soil (and provide relief to this country..) With all the "Natural Disasters" this country has faced in the past few years, who is left to help.. the Congress, the senate, the WHITE HOUSE, Be real...this state has lost out an so much federal aid, it is ridicules, after the devastating tornado's that hit Stoughton a few years back, where was the Fed. Aid.. they were denied.. there was not enough money?? of course not.. it was channeled for the "WAR EFFORT" when that knob was on the Air craft Carrier, standing under the banner, that read "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" what mission?? the mission to drive our economy in to the ground>> well then I guess so, he succeeded..
So again I believe in backing our men and women 100%!!!! but the leaders they must follow ....I DO NOT !!!

I was deployed once with the Army Reserves. Joined the guard a year ago and am excited to go back with my friends and comrades.

Good luck and my heart goes out to these soldiers and their families. As a Navy Reservist who recently returned from a one-year mobilization to Iraq I can definitely sympathize.