MAIL CALL

National Guard, Jul 2004

Defending 'Part Time' Help

Editor's Note: The following was originally sent to The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and shared with NATIONAL GUARD magazine. The article in question was an Associated Press report on the mobilization of the Tennessee Army National Guard's 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment that was picked up by daily newspapers across the country.

As a member of the Tennessee Army National Guard's 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, I take issue with much of the content in a June 13 feature, "Critics: Army relying too much on Guard." Throughout the article, the 278th ACR is used by the writer to carry out a thinly veiled attack on the war on terror.

In the article, it is stated that the army is being "stretched too thin." If this is so, then blame falls on the shortsighted president who drastically reduced the size of the military in the 1990s.

Since the war on terror began, all branches of service have easily met their recruitment and retention goals. America has no shortage of young men and women who understand what is required to defeat terrorists and the hate-tilled brand of Islam they espouse.

Many Guard members are offended by the incorrect idea that we are "being set up to fail because (we) haven't been properly trained to fight." Before we deploy, National Guard units spend six months training stateside to reach the active-duty force's level of proficiency.

Actual time spent overseas for both active and reserve components is roughly 12 months. It is precisely because we are not a full-time force that we spend an additional six months preparing to deploy before our yearlong tour.

While I understand that Col. Hackworth may think abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison are the result of "what you get when you hire parttime help," I also understand that his comments are the result of a desire to peddle his next book and schedule his next talk-show appearance.

Veterans who served honorably yet continue to criticize this war effort, such as Hackworth and the current Democrat presidential nominee, do a great disservice to those of us engaged in preventing the next Sept. 11.

The idea that the "278th never expected to be fighting in Iraq" is particularly egregious. While not knowing where or when, I knew I would eventually be deployed the moment that second plane hit the south tower on Sept. 11.

Like other Guard members, I will leave a career and family I love (I report on my six-month wedding anniversary) to make sure the battle is fought on shores other than our own. Contrary to popular belief, members of the National Guard do not enlist for tuition benefits or other incentives-they join because they wish to serve their country.

Our enemies in the war on terror have no tanks, no air force and no navy. Their greatest and most powerful weapon is an American media more interested in today's controversy than tomorrow's victory.

2nd Lt. Lance Frizzell

Tennessee Army National Guard

Let's Also Improve Tricare

I'm excited that the Guard and Reserve are getting Tricare benefits, but also concerned that the reserve-component members are going to be disappointed to find out that Tricare is not all it can be.

There are Web sites filled with horror stories of soldiers' experiences with Tricare. One of the biggest problems is finding a doctor who accepts TRICARE.

It may very well be that the NGAUS could be in the best position to lead in getting improvements to this program because of citizen-soldier familiarity with other commercial health plans and the ability to make political contacts at the local level that active-duty personnel cannot.

There is a bill being developed at this time which would bring provide the same level of benefit for military personnel and retirees as the government currently provides for its federal workers and retirees, most of which have Blue Cross/Blue Shield standard.

I hope NGAUS sees the merits in this proposed bill and can be of support in Congress. We hope it will be introduced in July 2004.

Retired Col. Jim Engelage

U.S. Army Reserve