So, here is a woman who, back in 2002, probably thought she was being patriotic and signed up for the Army, but most likely was interested in the free training and bonuses being paid. Now, if you actually read the CONTRACT you sign for any of the services, it states you have to do a minimum of eight years. That's right, eight years. No exceptions. Now, what happens is this, if you sign up for three years active duty, then you have to do five years inactive ready reserves. If you sign up for five years active, then you only have to three years IRR. EVERYONE who signs that CONTRACT has that obligation. Yes, some recruiters are only worried about their numbers, so they will tell you anything. It is YOUR responsibility to READ the CONTRACT YOU ARE SIGNING. My recruiter wasn't quite truthful about most of the things he told me, but he did tell me I was doing a total of eight and how that worked.
Now, during that time on IRR status, you CAN be called back into service at ANYTIME, even on the very last day. it's right there in the CONTRACT you SIGN with the government. I had a year of delayed entry program, five years active duty, and then two years of IRR. Yes, the delayed entry program actually counts towards time in service. While I left active duty on January 11, 1994, I did not leave the Navy until January of 1996, and retained a (then) pink reserve duty card, which, I am sure, this woman had, as well.
If you read the article, she states that someone told her that no one ever gets called back from IRR. I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn, too. Yes, before the Gulf War, that was true. But even after 9/11, people on IRR were being called back. It was in the news! Don't tell me you thought that after 9/11, and with the Army having huge problems keeping their numbers at sustainable levels and the US invading or talking about invading all those countries that you actually believed you might not be called back?!
And this is the problem with an all volunteer force. People think they are only doing two or three years to get money from the government for training and all these bonuses now, and not reading the actual contract they are signing. Instead of asking exactly what it is they are signing, they are asking where their bonus check is. If we had conscripted service, the numbers would be fine, especially with all these 5 and 6 children families. No bonuses given, saving billions of tax payer dollars that could be spent on things like armor to protect those troops. Well, I guess if you are too stupid to read your contract, then maybe we shouldn't protect you. It may just help bring the IQ level in this country back up. Or, even better, maybe instead of conscripted service, we should offer these people the choice of proper armor or the bonus. If they choose the bonus, then they better not bitch about the lightly armored vehicles they have to drive.
While I am happy that I can have an extra five points for being a veteran on most government job placement exams/applications, I would happily give it up for a country full of people who actually respected one another, respected people in other countries, and took responsibility for their actions. I know, I know. Many of you will argue that in countries where conscripted service is already in place, they do not necessarily respect people in other countries, or even of other religions, but that is a religion issue and we won't even get started with that. The French hate Americans almost as much as most Americans hate the French. But, I drove across northern France on my own as we invaded Iraq and had no problems. Why? Because I knew I was in their country. I learned a little of their language and didn't make an ass out of myself. People will be more open if you try to be more open. And yes, I did learn that in the Navy. No matter what service you choose, you are going to have to learn to deal with people from all over the US and from various backgrounds. And once yuo see how fucked up some of the people in your own country are, the people in other countries don't seem so different.
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