88 percent of Army National Guard units rated ‘not ready’

[liberal N proud]

Shortages threaten Guard’s capability
88 percent of units rated ‘not ready’

Washington Post
Nearly 90 percent of Army National Guard units in the United States are rated "not ready" -- largely as a result of shortfalls in billions of dollars' worth of equipment -- jeopardizing their capability to respond to crises at home and abroad, according to a congressional commission that released a preliminary report yesterday on the state of U.S. military reserve forces.

The report found that heavy deployments of the National Guard and reserves since 2001 for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and for other anti-terrorism missions have deepened shortages, forced the cobbling together of units and hurt recruiting.

We can't sustain the on the course we're on," said Arnold L. Punaro, chairman of the 13-member Commission on the National Guard and Reserves, established by Congress in 2005. The independent commission, made up mainly of former senior military and civilian officials appointed by both parties, is tasked to study the mission, readiness and compensation of the reserve forces.

<snip>

The report also said prospects for Guard recruiting and retention remain "highly problematic," despite successes last year. Fewer former active-duty military personnel have joined the reserves over the past 10 years -- they made up 38 percent of the Army National Guard recruits last year, compared with 61 percent in 1997. Polling data for youths and their parents also show that favorable views of service in the Guard and reserves have declined since November 2001, the report said.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17390852/

[Botany]

1. USA USA USA USA

[MADem]

4. Your Yellow Ribbon reminded me of something

We were at the stupor-market (I always wander around in a bit of a stupor there) getting a load of groceries the other day, and I saw the most outrageous and craven use (all of them offend, but some worse than others) of the Yellow Ribbon theme to date: a Yellow Ribbon, Support our Troops CHIP CLIP. You know, one of those clips to hold your bag of potato chips closed?

I was, well, stunned. How low can we go? Support Our Troops toilet paper???

[Hubert Flottz]

2. Halliburton recorded record profits

and they just got some new no bid contracts. The Contractors are READY!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. but if you listen to freepers

you are a traitor and not supporting the troops if you back Murtha's plan to not allow them to go to Iraq until they are properly trained and equipped....:crazy: