Baltimore, MD- In the level of funding that is higher than at any time since the end of World War II, the National Guard and Reserves have passed a funding milestone.
The largest mobilization of citizen Soldiers in America?s history is taking place, the largest deployment of troops since the end of World War II. This is partly because we have shifted away from a purely active duty force, to one where the active duty rolls are being filled increasingly by members of the National Guard and Reserve.
Part of this is due to the fact that more and more people are choosing to sign up in record numbers. At first, this was believed to be only because of the worsening economy, but among the thousands of young people signing up to go into the National Guard and Reserves for each military branch, there are many that are patriots eager to do their part.
Some were motivated when they were very young by the tragedy of September 11th, 2001. The children that were toddlers then are now signing up in droves.
With the benefits, GI Bill, and pay for being on duty and called to deployment, people that join the Reserves today are informed, and know they may very well be called to Afghanistan or Iraq. For many of them, this is just an added bonus. Some wish to see the world, others are eager for the opportunities that come with training, and still others see the advantages to hazard duty and war zone pay and benefits.