National Guard Jokes: (Insert My Foot Up Your Ass)

Today is the final day of the SIT Back 2 Blogging here at the Pink Park Bench.  I'm crossing the finish line with my post that I wish more people had read.

This wasn't an easy one for me.  There are several posts I wish more of you had read.  Most of them are from the first year I blogged, when I didn't network all that much, so I know I didn't have that many readers.  The one post that I think of more than any other though is this one:

National Guard: (Insert Joke Here)

Our military is a strong and proud body. Our country's finest men and women serve in a military that is superior to any in the world. The military branches though are just like sports teams: everyone has a favorite. Either you're in that branch, you know someone in that branch, you've heard stories through the grapevine about a particular branch, your favorite movie/book is about a certain branch...the list goes on as to why someone thinks the Navy is better than the Marines, etc. While the National Guard isn't a branch per se, it is a component of the military and one that doesn't seem to have many fans in the stands.

Stonewall will be the first to tell you that when he was selected for National Guard instead of active duty right out of college, he didn't exactly jump for joy. After all, most of the glory stories, fiction and non-fiction, involve active duty. And I think a great many Americans think active duty is the "real Army," while National Guard is for those who just can't cut it otherwise.

They would be wrong.

The greatest military in the world began with the National Guard. At the time it was called the Militia and was responsible for protecting the colonies. The National Guard is the oldest component of the US military and even pre-dates the founding of the United States of America having celebrated its 370th birthday on December 13, 2006. (And if history isn't you're forte, that would mean it was the National Guard that won us the Revolutionary War, hence the independence of America and brand new country.) You can't have a strong house able to withstand the rains and winds if you don't have a strong foundation. The National Guard is our military's foundation. Our superiority was built on those who protect the homefront.

Its also important to remember that while our Guardsmen stand ready for a national disaster, they also deploy overseas. During WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc., the National Guard has been called upon to go all over the world. Our entire military is comprised of the best trained soldiers and overseas they all stand and fight side-by-side protecting the same country that all vowed to protect and honor.

As for Stonewall, he was sent to Katrina with his National Guard unit following OBC. He was also hand-picked out of hundreds of soldiers, active-duty included, for a deployment with Special Forces. A honor he probably wouldn't have received if he had been active duty and already going overseas with another unit. Now he gets requests from newly commissioned officers to join his NG unit, as well as requests from older enlisted soldiers who want to transfer to his unit because they want to serve under him.

The National Guard will probably continue to be one of the least cheered on "teams" of the military. I can't even think of one Hollywood movie that revolves around the National Guard. For those of you out there that smirk and turn your nose up at the National Guard, just remember, that when the "real Army" is deployed (and even when they're not), its the National Guard that's here at home protecting your ass.

I am super proud of my husband's service.  He is an amazing Officer.  The fact that he serves in the National Guard does not make him, or any other Guardsman (or SOLDIER in the National Guard, as some of us might say), any less of an US Military servicemember than an active duty servicemember.  And it really really really rubs me the wrong way when people make that statement.

As you can see in the comments to this post, I don't handle a$$holes very nicely when they make remarks to that effect.  I just don't really feel that this is a debatable topic.  Should we be in Iraq? Debatable.  Should abortion be legalized? Debatable.  Are servicemembers in any particular branch less deserving of ALL American's respect and support?  Definitely not debatable.  Are the members of a particular branch less willing to sacrifice their lives for our country and should any Joe F**king Schmoe be able to tell me my husband is one of them?  Definitely not debatable. 

What post of yours do you wish more of us had read?

If you haven't already joined in with Back 2 Blogging you have until September 19, to do so!  One lucky participant will win Thelma and Louise, a gorgeous turquoise Sky Washer and Dryer from Electrolux, valued at $4,000!  These wonderful sponsors are responsible for making this all happen: Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances.