Since the Vietnam War ended, how many mobilizations lasted for 6 months or more prior to OEF including any humanitarian support missions?

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 16:25:28 -0400

I believe that once Congress backdates all post 9-11 mobilized service over six months and reduces retirement age by the same amount, then I think it is appropriate to lobby for credit for earlier six month mobilizations.
There have been a number of longer mobilizations: Operation Desert Storm, those associated with the breakup of Yugoslavia - Operation Joint Endeavor (OJE) and Operation Joint Guard (OJG).
I don't think any Reserves were mobilized for 6 months in support for Operation Urgent Fury [Grenada - 1983]; Operation Just Cause [1989 - Panama]; and Operation Restore Hope [1992-93].

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 22 at 2015 5:00 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 17:00:14 -0400

Hopefully this helps out:

http://academic.evergreen.edu/g/grossmaz/interventions.html

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/military/etc/cron.html

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Mar 22 at 2015 7:04 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 19:04:05 -0400

I will be surprised if Congress actually passes that change back dating it to 9-11-01. It would be nice. I would also like to see them clarify language that it should not be 90 day increments in the same fiscal year.

As far as deployments go, I know the National Guard and some Reserve forces have been doing the Sinai MFO Peacekeeping mission. I am not sure when they started those rotations and if it was a result of active duty units deploying for OEF/OIF. I think the active force has taken that mission back. Kosovo is another one I know for sure that took place before 9-11 although that does kind of fall under the breakup of Yugoslavia.

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made Mar 22 at 2015 7:05 PM

SSG Leonard Johnson — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 19:05:59 -0400

hehehehe.....was any reservist on the USS Pueblo ;)

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Mar 22 at 2015 10:58 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 22:58:55 -0400

Ever wonder about the Spec Ops and SF both active and reserve what their mobilizations were?

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Mar 23 at 2015 12:12 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 12:12:47 -0400

I'm guessing the first big deployment of Reserve/Guard force was OJE. In Europe 7th ARCOM units were considered forward deployed units and we were assigned/attached to Active duty units, so when they went, we went. It was very interesting being in the Reserve in Europe. I'd do 3-4 Corps exercises a year along with my regular drills. This really upped my retirement points as well. I think the next big deployment was OJG.

Along with those, we'd also get a lot of special TDY's going to NATO partners and the former eastern block countries. Was a good time to be in the Reserve.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2015 4:43 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 04:43:25 -0400

I agree with you on this.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 5:13 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 17:13:42 -0400

As a financial planner with as much civilian time helping military members with make good financial decisions as I have in the Guard, and a long-suffering Eagles fan, I have a slightly different opinion: be careful what you wish for.

The greatest running back in Eagles history was recently traded ostensibly because he was too expensive. In an era where the federal government does not have enough money to pay for its fiscal promises, this is an important lesson.

In the sequestration/continuing resolution era, any "win" we get in terms of earlier pension, is likely to cost us something else. The actuaries have not allocated for pensions starting at 60 and lasting for upwards of 30 years, so if is starts earlier, will they simply reduce the monthly amount (probably)? Or maybe they will reduce missions and jobs to pay for increases in retiree costs (bye bye A-10).

While we all want money sooner, but we'd be better off with more benefits later. The civilian world is heading towards single-digit percentages of individuals covered by pensions. Even as someone who is in shouting distance of qualifying to be the one in six people will ever qualify for a military pension, I recognize that anything else that I get will likely be assessed to the other five.

Assuming we can get more money to fix personnel costs, it would be better spent improving the VA medical system for retirees and tri-care availability for Guard and Reserve members of all ages. As someone with many octogenarian clients, trust me, your 80 year old self will thank the 58 year old self for waiting a few extra years if it means more money in your later years.