In article ,
"George Z. Bush" writes:

"sanjian" wrote in message
news:cFhIc.1466$sj.854@lakeread02...
George Z. Bush wrote:
"Ace" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 14:10:39 +0100,
wrote:

Why didn't GWB join the U.S. Air Force ?

He did join the US Air Force.

The Texas Air National Guard is NOT the U. S. Air Force.

Is that like saying that the SeaBees aren't really part of the navy?

The Texas ANG is a state organization until such time as it's activated, and the
only time its members are in the USAF as such is when they've been activated,
either as a unit or as individuals. In Dubya's case, he was only active during
his flight training.....the rest of his service was in a state organization.
The Seabees were different....they were an integral part of the Navy at the
time, as was the submarine service, etc. If you enlisted in the Seabees, you
were in the Navy from day one.

To the best of my knowledge, the Texas ANG was never federalized as a unit
during the VN War, although individual members who may have volunteered would
have been activated and assigned to active USAF units.

See the difference?

G.Z., that just isnt't true. The Militia Act of 1903 specified the
National Guard as the organized militias of the Various States. In
teh 1914 modifications to that act, Guard Officers were appointed by
the President of the States, with teh consent of teh Senate, rather
than by the States themselves. The Army set force distributuions and
training requirements.
The National Defence Act of 1916 established the National Guard as a
Reserve Compnent of the U.S. Army, equal to the Reserve Corps, and the
Volunteer Corps. (Which became the Natioanal Army when conscription
began - the National Army was made up of Draftees.)
In 1918, the distinctions between National Guard, Reserve Corps,
Regular Army, and National Army was abrogated, and all elements were
fused into one organization - the United States Army.

The same relationship has always held for the Air National Guard.

In 1955, Air National Guard Fighter Interceptor Squadrons were
required to maintain at least 2 aircraft on 24 hour alert, 7 days a
week. These aircraft operate under USAF orders, adn NORAD direction.
Certainly no "Activation" is required. ANG Airlifters flew missions
on the MATS/MAC/TAC as appropriate schedule. NH ANG C-97s flying
cargo (Such as ARRS Rescue Helicopters) to Viet Nam weren't doing it
in orders from Concord, for example.

The idea that the National Guard is a State Organization may be
widespread, but it is false. The States supply Armories and training
areas, and can call on the National Guard in times of emergency. The
Guard's force structure, roles and missions are directed by the
relevant parent service.

--
Pete Stickney
A strong conviction that something must be done is the parent of many
bad measures. -- Daniel Webster