Should the NG make rotations in Europe?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 14:06:58 -0400

Doing this could save money. Less active duty in Europe and less dependents. More training for the guard with rotations through Hoenfels.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 2:09 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 14:09:16 -0400

I thing rotating the Guard through Europe and Korea would be a good way to save a little money AND keep the Guard relevant as an operational force. We've worked to hard to be shunted off to the back burner again.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 22 at 2015 2:38 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 14:38:46 -0400

This will put pressure on the civilian occupations.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Aug 22 at 2015 3:05 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 15:05:35 -0400

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member I think it woudl definitely be the right thing to do! Just my opinion!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 22 at 2015 4:14 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 16:14:04 -0400

Honest question.

"Is it advantageous for the State for the Guard to do so?"

By that I mean, how does it benefit Rhode Island or Ohio or Hawaii (or random state) to rotate through Europe? As the Guard is the de facto militia of the State, it has to have actual benefits for the State in question for their troops to rotate through.

Additionally, how will CS & CSS be handled?

Furthermore, though you will have less "active duty" in Europe, I have a feeling it may be a "Rob Peter to pay Paul" scenario going on. The second these become deployment cycles, those NG become "NG on Active Duty" which becomes cost "null" and may actually end up costing more in the long run, as you still end up having the same number of Active Duty, but now you have Deployed NG in addition.

I'm sure there are benefits. However what are the benefits in comparison to the drawbacks. That's the real question.

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made Aug 22 at 2015 4:16 PM

SrA Daniel Hunter — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 16:16:05 -0400

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member No, in my opinion that NG should never leave CONUS. If they are supposed to be the state's militia that is.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2015 8:05 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 08:05:00 -0400

I would rather see it as a optional service rotation, ie. post needed MOS/AOCs and trial it. There are certainly guardsmen that would opt in. I will volunteer for 30 days in Paris, say....late spring. :)

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2015 8:26 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 08:26:46 -0400

I'm thinking the savings would come from no longer supporting dependents overseas. The Army could also rotate AC units to Europe on one year tours.

NG units could rotate BNs or BCTs every 10 years or so. If my research is correct there are 28 NG BCTs. Maybe do a BCT or 2 for 6 month deployments. So once every 7 years. Don't think this would be a huge strain on civilian employers.

As far as the State Militia I think it's already been proven the NG is much more than that. One BCT gone every 7 years should not strain the state militia role.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2015 12:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 12:22:45 -0400

Why not?