Is it fear-mongering if it is true?
Despite pronouncements that the army is making its enlistment goals, I can tell you from experience this is clearly not the case.
Case in point. Son #1. Served in the Marines during two deployments to Iraq and two more counter-terrorism deployments. He was honorably discharged last year, got a great job, started college at night and is living the life of any good civilian.
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He was called to "muster" last weekend and said after extensive conversations with commanding officers, it is very likely he'll be one of the Marines called back. (Remember that
news announcement this summer?The actually call up will take place after the elections.
Follow below the fold for the other son's story.
Son number two learned on his 20th birthday that his unit, already in Iraq for 8 months, was being extended past their expected return date of December.
Army Chief Schoonmaker speaks of the Hollow Army in this
Stars and Stripes article, not in so many words, but in terms of equipment, dollars and such.
More true now than even when it was first published, this great article by James Fallows in
The Atlantic from 2004 aptly entitled "The Hollow Army."
College students, all youth need to clearly recognize the dangers facing them down the road should the U.S. become engaged with North Korea, Iran, or some other country of choice. There will be no choice but the reinstate the draft, IMHO.
Phonebank, tell your friends, write letters to the editor, share with your kids who might have friends, get the word out! Their very lives may depend on this vote!