[Felix The Assassin]

A post of this nature from TL, did I read that right.

During the last 8 years of democratic Presidential rule, we dropped down to an unheard of, and we cannot support both fronts on the battle field 10 division active Army and restructured the ARNG as direct combat (shooters) and the Reserve's as Combat Service Support (CSS = Non shooters) to facilitate the active Army.

Of the 10 active divisions.
7 are heavy = tanks, brads, etc.
3 are light = Airborne, Air Assualt, and the Mountain Light.
There are 2 Seperate heavy BDEs left, and 1 ACR (Armored Cavalry Regiment). Plus SPECOPS, Rangers, and some "Other" independent units.

The ARNG supplies 3 Heavy, 1 Light, 1 CAV, and 1 "Other" to the TOTAL ARMY FORCE.
The Reserves supply all of the builders(ENG), pysops, water treatment, and heavy med spt to the TOTAL ARMY FORCE.

Notice Total Army Force.

So you wonder, why is Felix always on IW and not in the sand while these overworked Reservist and Guardsmen are their. Because they form the Total Army Force.

I spent 7 months last calender year in the Balkans, and we will deploy to Iraq in the early Spring 04 to releive a heavy unit from the states, we are planning to spend 14 months on a 12 month rotation there. But, one must remember that the active Army is the mainstay of the Total Army Force and we expect to endure harder and longer hardships. However, we ourselves wonder, when and where is the relief? We are heavy, we are shooters, why are we going down there now? Didn't they just say we need less shooters and more builders? But hey, somebody must fill the manpower requirment, conduct raids, and wave and pay respect to the locals. I can relate to that, but I do have one problem, and here most recntly the policy downrange is when dealing with the locals to remove ones sunglasses / eye protection. That I have aproblem with!

If we were still a 16 Division Army, the ARNG and AR would feel less of the Total Army Force burden, and could remain to the state. However, this is today and such is life. Now look at this for face value. We just got a soldier in who did a change of station from the states to here. Well, he just so happened to have been 3rd ID, who supported operation's from day 1. This poor trooper spent 19 months in Iraq with 3ID, got a 30 day leave, moved over here, will have 5 months before he does another "12" months down range. Can you say hollow Army as soon as thess back to back rotation soldiers get a chance to ETS (get out).

Felix