2/3rds of Indiana Guard Battalion choose not to reenlist after Iraq

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.indystar.com/articles/0/162102-6840-102.html

Almost two-thirds of Indiana National Guardsmen in a battalion that spent a year in Iraq chose not to re-enlist when their service time expired.

Over the past 21 months, the service contracts of 102 soldiers in the 1st Battalion of the 152nd Regiment expired. Of those, 32, or less than one-third, chose to re-enlist.

The unit typically keeps 85 percent of its members, a sergeant in charge of retaining members said.

Before the war, the unit had 650 members. Now the regiment headquartered about 40 miles northeast of Evansville has about 530 soldiers left, The Herald reported in a story today.

In early 2003, 610 of the members were deployed to Iraq.

"That one big word, 'deployment,' has done more damage than anything," said Sgt. 1st Class Gary Love, who is in charge of convincing soldiers to stay.

[wryter2000]

1. What's wrong with the other third? eom

eom

[spanone]

2. duh, well, ahhh. Gary Love has his work cut out for him, convincing

soliers to stay!!!!!! Good Luck Gary.

[mermaid]

3. Reminds Me Of

a buddy who was in the Air Force.

they told him if he would "re-up" they'd make him a Staff Sargeant.

He loked the recruiter square in the eye and said, "I wouldn't re-up if you made me a GENERAL!!"

[mermaid]

4. can You Blame Them??

Who the fuck wants to be in Iraq??

[King of New Orleans]

5. Why would anybody join the National Guard at this point?

It's a guaranteed trip overseas and more than likely multiple trips. If you join the Guard for the education benefits, it's going to be awhile before you get to use those benefits since you'll be in Iraq.

If you want to go to war, then you just join the Army or Marines.

[mom cat]

6. Ed benefits expire if you expire.

[thecrow]

7. Oh come on, Uncle Sam saves them the time...

of re-enlisting by simply extending their stays.... indefinitely!