Guard Equipment Shortfalls!

Referring to the story below, “Guard Experiencing Severe Equipment Shortfalls”, I fail to see why this is news to anyone!

I served in the Active Army from 1986 to 1993, as well as the National Guard from 1994 to 1997. As a communications sergeant, I was alarmed by the substandard, antiquated and disrepair of the communication equipment we were charged with using.

For example, our radio/teletype rig was supposed to have a teletype which it did not, so I doubted any of the soldiers in my squad would know how to use it if necessary.

Additionally, while the whole of the regular Army was enjoying Hummvees, we were still driving mid ‘80’s model Chevy trucks that we had to jerry-rig to keep operational. We often would switch parts from one vehicle to another so we had something to drive. The story we’d get when complaining of such practices is, we don’t have the money for parts.”

After reading this, maybe you’ll understand why I was taken aback after seeing all the work that was being done on Jackson Barracks in New Orleans. One summer, I assisted in laying a bunch of bricks for a new museum they were building. I can’t imagine what that was costing them, but they could have used that money instead to better equip one or two National Guard units.

I don’t want to hear any government official say or imply they had no idea the Guard was in such a state of disrepair since they are the ones who sign the bills and create the legislation that provides the funding for them.

If I could be everywhere and do everything, I’d fire everyone related to funding the guard and fund them properly! Since this pipe dream is impossible, we’ll always have crooked, irresponsible, lazy and greedy good-for-nothings continuing to cost our nation. By no means am I suggesting everyone involved in the funding is crooked and such, but enough are to warrant this rant.