Quick question

[Bombtrack]

This came up in some thread about Jack going to Iraq and how the NG deployment is 12 months, as opposed to a 7-month USMC tour

Why is the National Guard deployed longer than a regular force unit? Is it intensity of Ops?

[ibstolidude]

Cost certainly is a factor. It is quite expensive and labor intensive to "call up" most reserve and NG forces.

[Jack Mehoff]

I can't speak for NG in other states, but I know Utah Army National Guard are deploying for 18 months, 12 of those months are in Iraq.

[Bombtrack]

Cost certainly is a factor. It is quite expensive and labor intensive to "call up" most reserve and NG forces.

So theyre called up less often for longer periods of time then?

[Bombtrack]

I can't speak for NG in other states, but I know Utah Army National Guard are deploying for 18 months, 12 of those months are in Iraq.

I saw this documentary on the Arkansas NG and it was the same deal

[cmdrfire]

Out of interest, why are NG regiments even in Iraq? I thought NG was National Guard, equivalent to the UK TA (Terratorial Army)... home defence kinda thing. In the TA only specialists (medics, arabic-speakers, etc.) are being sent to Iraq... whyfor are NG regiments being sent en masse there?

[ibstolidude]

Cost certainly is a factor. It is quite expensive and labor intensive to "call up" most reserve and NG forces.

So theyre called up less often for longer periods of time then?
I can only offer my understanding. I certainly am not expert on mobilization affairs, I don't proffess to speak as one. However, it is my understanding that in the years past, the costs (even beyond fiscal) associated with bringing a force on active, housing them in a CRC, offering additional and theater specific training, bring their MTOE up, etc has been very costly. Add to this the current 5/1 policy of the USAR (NG?) Command, and you want to get the most bang for your buck.

[Jack Mehoff]

U.S. Army National Guard been fighting America's wars oversea since WW1. This is nothing new. The majority of combat troops(infantry, artillery, armor, etc.) in U.S. Army are National Guardmen. NG even has two Special Forces groups.

Out of interest, why are NG regiments even in Iraq? I thought NG was National Guard, equivalent to the UK TA (Terratorial Army)... home defence kinda thing. In the TA only specialists (medics, arabic-speakers, etc.) are being sent to Iraq... whyfor are NG regiments being sent en masse there?

[Bombtrack]

alright thanks for the replies