Mothers Against the Draft

National Guard Stretched too Thin

The National Guard is stretched so thin by simultaneous assignments in Iraq and the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast that leaders in statehouses and Congress say it is time to reconsider how the force is used. Republicans and Democrats alike worry about the service's ability to balance its federal and state missions of fighting wars and responding to domestic crises.

Ending war could be Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan said the problems — mostly but not entirely in the Army — in meeting recruiting goals cannot be fixed through traditional means of increasing pay, bonuses and benefits. The top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee said getting out of Iraq could be the only way of fixing the continuing problems in military recruiting.	In Iraq, MP numbers down while duties increase When fewer than 100 troops showed up at Forward Operating Base Danger in February to relieve more than 300 military police from the 1st Infantry Division, the departing soldiers said they would wait for more help to arrive before beginning orientation. Some of the incoming police laughed. There weren’t any more coming.
Marines: Looking for a Few Good Aliens? On Wednesday, a general court martial is to begin at Parris Island, South Carolina, for a U.S. Marine recruiter accused of selling and delivering counterfeit documents to illegal aliens in order for them to join the service.	Members of Guard unit weary of role in Iraq Doug Heller volunteered to deploy to Iraq two months after returning from a tour in Bosnia. He said he loves the Army, and he loves his unit. But he is ready to call it quits after eight years with the National Guard. "I guarantee that after they let us off stop-loss half my unit will be done" with the National Guard, Doug Heller said.
Iraqi forces may need years of preparation Three weeks of patrols and interviews in restive Anbar province suggested that Iraqi security forces will need years of preparation before they're ready to take charge of the complex and violent tribal areas of western Iraq. President Bush has said repeatedly that U.S. troops will withdraw only when Iraqi troops are ready to take over.	Despite good August, US Army to miss recruit goal The U.S. Army posted its best recruiting month in four years in August, but will still miss its first annual recruiting goal since 1999, officials said on Monday, as the Iraq war makes it difficult to attract new soldiers.
Katrina Deployments Add to Military Strain President Bush's decision to put thousands of active-duty soldiers and Marines on Hurricane Katrina relief duty adds a new dimension to the enormous strain on the military from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. "This effort will clearly increase the overall burden on our military," Skelton said Friday. "The Defense Department's civilian leaders must look at the impact of this and future crises and the ongoing war on the military's future readiness and overall state."	Navy hikes retention bonuses for those with certain critical skills In 2004, the Navy started offering bonuses to entice highly qualified specialists on nuclear submarines and surface ships to re-enlist. One year later, fewer sailors than hoped for took the cash and the Navy is offering more money, Navy officials said.
Overseas deployments hinder Guard hurricane presence Some 6,000 National Guard personnel in Louisiana and Mississippi who would be available to help deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina are in Iraq, highlighting the changing role of America’s part-time soldiers. The war has forced the Guard into becoming an operational force, a far cry from its historic role as a strategic reserve primarily available to governors for disasters and other duties in their home states.	Army Likely to Meet August's, But Not Year's, Recruiting Goal The Army is expected to meet or exceed its monthly recruiting goal for August but is likely to miss its annual goal for the fiscal year that ends next month amid one of the most difficult recruiting environments since it became an all-volunteer force, the Army's chief of staff said yesterday.

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Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force of the people.... No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

— James Madison

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National Guard Stretched too Thin

Ending war could be

In Iraq, MP numbers down while duties increase

Marines: Looking for a Few Good Aliens?

Members of Guard unit weary of role in Iraq

Iraqi forces may need years of preparation

Despite good August, US Army to miss recruit goal

Katrina Deployments Add to Military Strain

Navy hikes retention bonuses for those with certain critical skills

Overseas deployments hinder Guard hurricane presence

Army Likely to Meet August's, But Not Year's, Recruiting Goal