Reply #46: Retired military members have been asked to return to duty... [View All]

[moroni]

(to volunteer) some have been ordered back. Anyone who draws retention pay (retirement) can be called back to active duty until age 65 (I think that is the age). I would hazard a guess that for the most part, retirees and "old guys & gals" are kept stateside performing a variety of duties, like informing family members of the death of a soldier, sailor, marine etc. They also may act as liason for these families while arrangements are made for the deceased soldier. A liason officer or NCO has no higher responsibility than to the families of soldiers killed in action/died on active duty. Most senior NCOs and Commissioned Officers in the services have performed this duty at one time or another. I have a friend (55) who has just signed back up (volunteered) to return to the Army. He retired 15 years ago, as an E8. His first job after 2 weeks of refresher training (TA50 equipment, etc) will be to escort and assist wounded soldiers and their families when they reunite. He has spent the last two or three months training himself physically for the demands of Army life. He has lost 20 pounds and is back in shape (weightlifting, running, force marches, etc). His goal is to simple help he said, so he and his wife are heading back to Army life to help fellow soldiers and their families, just like he did before as a 1SG (First Sergeant). He was/is a member of the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC. He said he would go either to Iraq, Afghanistan or the Philippines after his first assignment has been completed if he is needed. Yes he could be sent to a combat zone just like anyone else. He is capable and fit, but he is no longer a 20 year old, but he is STILL a soldier.

Moroni