Drill Weekend...someone shoot me please!

[Warlock]

Oh, I'm all too familiar with the US Army National Guard. I served as an Avenger Crewmember with the NM boys myself. BUT, what "Warlock" is talking about here is the STATE Guard, which is some sort of civilian augmentation of the US Army National Guard. I'd never heard of such until his first mention several months back. It's all volunteer in the truest sense (no pay, you buy all your own uniforms etc.) They don't deploy as a military unit, they just man TN I guess when the Army guys are gone. That's how he's able to serve with them with all the serious ailments he's listed. I'm pretty certain being diabetic would immediately diqualify a soldier from being deployable, thus forcing a discharge from service. The State Guard is something altogether different. You can read about them here.

Actually we aren't an augmentation. We are a separate department of the Military Dept of Tennessee. Army Ntl. Guard, Air Ntl. Guard, TEMA, and the TN State Guard. We went to Mississippi for Katrina, Union University when the tornado hit, in fact we were first and only at that scene. Not to mention other duties.

I applaud you. You got a little taste of what we of the Corps knew--and loved and hated. Actually, we all love it now and hated it then!

Your dedication is an true inspiration, and like Frank McGrath, I'd sign up , too. But I am so old and broken down they wouldn't have me on a bet. (55 years, heart transplant, etc. Not a viable candidate. It's easy to volunteer when you know they won't take you.)

Keep us posted on your progress. I really enjoyed hearing you war stories.

Just the smallest of taste. We had a 63 yr old heart surgery patieint and one that was about to go through the surgery. So, I shut up, and like alot of others I did not complain or whine. I was tryin' to be amusing about my experience. I KNOW that I have come nowhere near what our Magnificent men and women in the Armed Forces go through. Makes me appreciate them all the more!

Now you know why I finally gave it after 25 years! But I sure loved being Drill Sergeant! Reminds me of pushing troops at Ft. Benning!

[QUOTE=Frank McGrath;528704]

and like Frank McGrath, I'd sign up , too. But I am so old and broken down

The Scot......I , too, am 55, old and broken down.

Never too old or broken down!

And you volunteered for this??

Yes I did! What the heck was I thinkin'?