[SGT T.]

Good post, all I am saying is that as National Guard troops who have been activated, they are receiving active duty pay. I don't wanna hear that crap about oh, I never expected to be deployed... they gave them all classes on how to kill people with the M16 rifle they were issued. Did they think that was for pheasant season? As an activated National Guard guy back in 94 on active duty for training, we were "highly encouraged" by our Drill SGT's to buy tickets home for Christmas, because if we all left, then the Drills got to go home too, but if even one troop had to stay, so did the drills. Back then, a PVT with under six months in and no credit card, I had to shell out to get a bus ticket from Ft Jackson SC, to Dodge City, KS. I know it wasn't cheap, but it did cost me 3 days both ways out of a 10 day leave cycle.

I can promise you that those activated guys in 161FA make a TON more money than I did back in 94, and that there are less PVT's in that unit than there were in my basic training company. Also, as a former National Guard dude, I know that the state has buses that they use to move units too and from training areas on drill weekends. I don't know why they couldn't get a few of them together and move that unit home for the holidays on the cheap.

I am not saying that it was a bad thing to give money to the Soldiers of 161FA, if you felt like you could give, and it made you feel good to give, then by all means. But thats why SGT T. kept his cash. BTW, the new USCENTCOM R&R program will pay for round trip airfare to any Airport in the world. I know guys who've taken R&R in Brazil and South Africa, thanks to the US Army.