Special Report

Many Alabama National Guard members say they can do both: help with the war and help at home.

Yet, about 60 percent worry that war duty compromises their abilities on the home front “seriously or somewhat.” Frustration rises like steam from many of the comments gathered through an anonymous survey administered by The Knight Community Journalism Fellows at The University of Alabama and The Anniston Star. Eighty-six soldiers took the time to respond in writing.

Soldiers activated for domestic duty over the past four years responded to hurricanes Katrina, Ivan, Dennis, Charlie and Rita — or tornados in Enterprise and Mobile. They trained for homeland security and anti-terrorism preparedness.

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They monitored airports, levee construction, nuclear power plants and military bases at home. All these duties – beyond fighting wars — are shouldered by the Guard.

“Lack of assets does not allow us to conduct disaster relief. Multiple (fast) deployments have depleted equipment and manpower,” wrote one Guardsman.

Many surveyed soldiers agreed the Guard is stretched thin.

“National Guard units are being burned out. It is getting close to the breaking point,” said a sergeant first class. Another voice summed up the obvious: “There is no tunnel through the center of the earth.”

If they are there, they cannot be here.

Soldiers of the opposite viewpoint also spoke out, though in lesser numbers. The Guard has adequate soldiers and expertise to handle both duties well, they said. Some commented that combat time benefits the Guard’s skills and improves unit cohesiveness; another said the times call for flexibility and a changing purpose.

Some soldiers expressed confusion over this changing purpose. “We are a guard, not a strike force,” said one soldier. “I always thought the National Guard was supposed to guard the U.S.,” commented a soldier in the Special Forces. “The Guard should only be used for national emergencies, not to enforce foreign policy,” said another.

Another reason for frustration was a sense that the Guard is doing the Army’s work — and getting little appreciation for it. “More Guard and Reserves are activated than active troops,” was a comment written more than once.

“In some instances Guard units have been activated long before active duty units see a deployment,” wrote a soldier from Birmingham. “The proper order is active duty, Reserves, then National Guard.” “They are abusing the National Guard system. If I wanted to be full-time, I would have been.”

Some felt the Alabama Guard was carrying more weight than other states. Alabama is fourth in the nation for number of troops deployed — following Texas, California and Pennsylvania. Plus, most storm relief occurs in the Southeast, upping the chances that Alabama’s troops will be activated for domestic jobs, too.

Many soldiers still accept the toll. “Overseas deployments hinder domestic crisis, but it is necessary to … accommodate the (troop) quota for the war.” Said another, “There will always be citizen soldiers to answer the call.”