Political Quotes

“the Senator raises a very interesting historical perspective. During World War II, the National Guard was mobilized early on and amalgamated with the regular forces. The Reserves likewise were brought in. So everybody was in World War II for the duration. The next major conflict was Korea, in which I had minor participation, modest though it may be. The units I served in were quickly made an amalgamation of Reserves and regulars. I remember vividly the squadron I served in as a ground officer. The Reserve pilots, even though they had been called, some of them had only been on active duty 60 days, barely getting retraining and were flying missions with the regulars who had been on active duty for a number of years. There was no distinction between any of us. We were all treated the same. I was a Reservist called up at that time. Then along came Vietnam, and for whatever reasons, when I was Secretary of the Navy, we didn't employ the Guard and Reserve. We relied on the draft. I would have to research some of the reasons why we didn't do it. This country has fluctuated back and forth. But in direct answer to the Senator's important question, in this conflict, more than ever before, we have relied on the Guard and Reserve. I believe about 60 percent of the uniformed personnel in Iraq tonight, some 150,000 plus, 60 percent of them are Guard and Reserve. So the Senator from Louisiana is very correct in her observation.”