[Dr. Evil]

Originally Posted by BottleFEED

And fast I didn't mean to stir the pot like this. I just do not like the weekenders for the reason being they know nothing of the real military life

Most all weekend warriors did at least one hitch on active duty before switching over, you need to check your fire.


and hardship for the families

You and your family are on/next door to a major base and have access to all the help and benefits that go along with it. NG and reservists in most cases do not have those resources. Gyms, base housing, recreational facilities for families, 1st sgt councils, family support groups, survivors groups, health care, relief society, BX, Commisary and support networks. The weekend warriors and their families are isolated and have none of that while they are downrange. You think its hard for you to get your pay straightened out when deployed? At least you have someone back at a base to call. Check your fire.

they play war games on weekends and think they are killers, they deploy to a base an sit inside the wire an come back with stories of war.

Keep living in your bubble. Its not just weekends anymore. Its a lot of schools and training for those guys too. They also go through the same exact predeployment training active duty goes through. Check your fire again.

They now call Kandahar rocket city like its bad there... And if you know that base it's like Disney land for the grunts suckin on the fobs. I know I thought it was awesome any time I could visit an buy a log of cope when I could. Of course I know the serve an what not but they are on a different food chain an that's why I stated they "don't count". People may have takin it out on context and got a little too emotional.. But that's up to them how they see it and honestly Idc. I just am hoping to clear things up..

And everyone called Balad, Iraq mortaritaville. Everyone has a job and a mission. I dont ever fault the guy that is a geek working in some communications specialty with a computer and an Ohm meter. If thats what he wants to do and is good at it more power to him. If its the best and only way he could serve then even more power to him. Point is, not everyone can be a grunt nor should they be. I have a lot of respect for the guys and gals that know they cant be a grunt but choose to do something, anything, to help in the best way they can. That geek behind the computer may be in a support role but if he is trying to be the best at what he does he gets my vote. Unless he's motopool, they never get my vote. Not. ever.
No one disputes that some jobs are more dangerous but people often confuse dangerous with needed. Meaning they think the only people needed in the military are the grunts. See how long those guys fight without any logistics, air power or support. You might as well start saying the Navy isnt needed either. Heres a little known fact for you. Did you know that during the battle for Guadalcanal that for every soldier or marine killed on land 3 sailors were killed in the same battle?

The reserves and national guard are absolutley needed. They more often than not bring more to the table than an active duty component. They are older (wiser) and have a much more diverse set of skills. Sure they don't have the mindset of active duty but IMO thats not a bad thing. Not saying the AD mindset is bad but try to look at the big picture. Having a 31b show up that is an FBI investigator in the civillian world isnt a bad thing. Nor is having a another guy show up that is a general contractor that can do anything with almost nothing. Those kinds of guys come in handy.
Lastly, we all get it. You're a warrior, a meat eater and the sharp tip of the spear. We get it. To simply cast aside anyone or anything else that isnt AD is incredibly short sighted, obtuse or both. I've known plenty of guardsman and reserves that spent time on a fob or convoys.
Not me though. I saw a gun once though, bout gave me a heart attack.

Stay safe, if I make it over to Hi again drinks on me