On 21 Feb 2004 18:21:37 GMT, "Emmanuel.Gustin"
wrote:

Isn't that army policy? I seem to remember reading that
the US Army is deliberately organized in such way that
any major conflict requires calling in the National Guard.
In part because this allows the professional regular troops
to concentrate on the more hich-tech tasks, and in part to
create a political hurdle the politicians have to jump
over first. Sending National Guard units into combat
requires a clear commitment, so this prevents the army
from being slowly dragged into a full-scale war -- no more
Vietnams.

Yes, that is exactly the case.

It's also an economy measure. Not every military engagement requires a
civil affairs or a bridge-building unit, for example. So why not
train reservists or Guards in those offbeat specialties?

all the best -- Dan Ford
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