Flashermac Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 A month after US army reservist Matthis Chiroux publicly refused to deploy to Iraq, the former sergeant on Sunday set himself up for possible prosecution by failing to report for active duty with his unit in South Carolina. "Tonight at midnight, I may face further action from the army for refusing to reactivate to participate in the Iraq occupation," Chiroux told reporters in Washington. "I stand here today in defense of those who have been stripped of their voices in this occupation, the warriors of this nation...", Chiroux read from a statement as his father Rob, who had travelled to Washington from Alabama to support his son on Father's Day, stood beside him. Last month, Chiroux rejected an order calling him back to active duty in Iraq, saying he considers the war "illegal and unconstitutional." Chiroux served five years in the army, with tours in Afghanistan, Japan, Germany and the Philippines. [color:red]He was honorably discharged last year and was placed in the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR), a pool of former soldiers who can be "reactivated" in a national emergency or war. [/color] Prior to the Iraq war, IRR members were rarely recalled to active duty, according to the Military Times, an independent newspaper for members of the US armed forces and their families. "Many believed they never would be called -- but when the army found itself stretched by unexpected combat demands in Iraq in the summer of 2004 it began issuing mobilization orders," Military Times wrote in an article published a year ago on Sunday. According to the paper, hundreds of IRR members "refused to report or simply ignored their mailed mobilization orders." Matthis' father Rob, a rocket scientist who lives in the army town of Huntsville, Alabama, said mobilizing IRR members was a form of back-door draft. "If our country is in such a dire emergency that we need to conscript manpower, congress has to vote to reinstate the draft," the elder Chiroux told AFP. "But they won't do that because if congress said we need to bring back the general draft, the war in Iraq would be resolved very quickly," he said. "Moms and dads, who represent millions and millions of voters, would say: wait a minute -- you want to draft my kid? Iraq's got to stop." Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted June 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 I'd have been decidedly pissed off if I had been called back after my discharge! I wouldn't have refused, but I'd have been cussing my head off as I went. Also, Huntsville is an "army town"? Happens to be the site of the Marshall Space Flight Center. Great reporting, fella ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayT Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 but when the army found itself stretched by unexpected combat demands in Iraq in the summer of 2004 it began issuing mobilization orders," Military Times wrote in an article published a year ago on Sunday. If the army is stretched so thin why doesn't it reassign a couple thousand from the 65K it has in Germany or the 37K it has in Japan? (Just to mention two places). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted June 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 This does really suck. They can't get enough to enlist because of Iraq, so they try to force those who've done their time to stay in longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian2 Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 If the US goes into a Iran these guys could be looking at some loooong service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Central Scrutinizer Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 This is like quitting a job and they can force you back to work agaisnt your will. Complete bullshit really. He served his time honorably. If they need new men and women offer better incentives for those interested to join up. "Matthis' father Rob, a rocket scientist who lives in the army town of Huntsville, Alabama, said mobilizing IRR members was a form of back-door draft." Exactly. And this is coming from a real rocket scientist. :thumbup: Bushco is no friend of the military enlistees and veterans. There is no honor in the country treating its veterans so shabbily after they have done their duty. The whole thing smells. Cent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 Pure politics. The neo-cons KNOW that if the institute a draft for the Iraq debacle, they'll be lynched. So they continually fuck the guys who sign up in the ass...without any lube... Disgraceful. Cheers, SD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted June 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 According to the Selective Service Act - which is still in effect, though conscription is not - everyone has a SIX year military obligation. This guy did 4 years active and then got put on standby reserve status (the same as I did). But in the past standby reserve members would only be called up in a national emergency, e.g. an actual attack on the US. I hardly think fighting an unecessary war in Iraq constitutes a national emergency. Furthermore, coming from a Prez who got an early out himself (as did John Kerry), it is really disgusting. (I don't actually think this is GWB's idea. Sound more like Darth Cheney.) There have been reports before of GIs who were supposed to be discharged being kept in, plus people who put in for retirement being retained against their will on active duty. What a wonderful gift to America this administration has been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogueyam Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 Also, Huntsville is an "army town"? Happens to be the site of the Marshall Space Flight Center. Great reporting, fella ... The source is AFP = French Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bust Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 I thought it was all under control..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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