I get a lot of, Oh, you are National Guard! You just play Army! You are not really military. Ignoring the ignorance and the fact that we are the oldest military component of the US, we deploy often just like our active duty componants. We go over seas to do the exact same job as those who share our MOS, and we do so with a fraction of the budget. As combat engineers, we do not stay in the FOB. While in Afghanistan, my men looked for bombs. We relieve our brothers in the reserve and active duty componants so they can go home. When looking at fatalities and suicide rates, it is evident we are just as susceptible. I will leave the fact that we also maintain civilian occupations aside as a footnote, because I could write an dissertation on this alone. We are also responsible for responding to natural disasters and internal conflicts as well. Hurricanes, tornadoes and riots fall under our domain, if our governor so chooses. We are expected to be mission capable and ready for anything, and yet our budget is perpetually slashed and our pay is constantly threatened. We are not compensated for travel, and they stopped paying for room and board. Some fly or drive out of state, and they get a weathered cot in the cold armory. It is a serious attack on morale; It is hard to keep my brothers motivated under those fiscal conditions. Additionally, outside the duties and budget, I am a PL. I have missed several funerals, including my grandfather who passed away just a few days ago. I have given a couple of surgeries and my hearing due to training accidents and injuries. I Missed many important birthdays and first moments year after year (sorry John Schleicher), and spend a LOT more time outside of drill balancing my job while planning and insuring I can set my men up for success. This one weekend a month, two weeks a year is a lie. This submission of thought is not a claim that we are superior; the intention is the farthest thing from it. This is merely a testament to explain we wear the same uniform. We are held to the same standards, and we face the complexities, adversities and tribulations that everyone in the military faces. We are one team, and one fight. Lets remember this. Oh, and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 14:27:58 +0000
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