JohnnyComeLately's Journal: Bush's Guard service makes sense with new details

The AP is reporting that Bush's new records show a few months of service and flesh out some of the details of his ANG service in Alabama during 1972.

I suspect my opinion will be considered biased, but I'd defend anyone, such as Kerry, Edwards, or even Ross Perot, if they have a similar background.

The reason is because I'm in exactly the same boat (previously and will be in the near future). I enlisted in the ANG in December of '02. I left for Officer Training in March of '03 and spent a little over a month on "active duty status". Just like Bush, I didn't drill every month of the year. Similarly, I will have orders in hand to report to Active Duty again, very soon. Since every day on active duty counts as points, it is up to me if I still drill during the remainder of 2004. I could conceivably not drill the rest of the year, because of the number of days I will be active duty will meet my commitment for the year. In order for a year of service to count towards duty time and retirement, you must accrue so many points based upon your duty status. Several weeks in Active Duty will fulfill all the points you need for the entire year.

Hence, this is why the White House is saying he didn't need to serve because of training. I might not serve. My employer pays the difference between my civilian pay, and duty pay. Since I make well over 50% more (as a civilian), any extra duty days I pick up by drilling during the active duty period, will just decrease how much my civilian employer pays. I actually like drilling less during the rest of the year (not on active duty) because I drive 250 miles, each way, to pull duty. Let me clarify... I like drilling, but dislike the drive.

Anyway, hope this was helpful for anyone not familiar with the Guard.
Take Care,
John

Shhhh!

[Red Warrior]

They don't WANT to understand. They want to chant "Bush was AWOL!!!" (without bothering to even understand what the term means) Don't confuse them with facts.

Another NG officer, who has posted the exact same thing. No story. Nothing to see.

I would like to understand this...

[geoswan]

Bush critics rarely come right out and say it. But they are dropping hints.

Bush had a long history as an addict. Correct?

Isn't one of the elements from his service record was that his flight status was suspended because he didn't show up for a regularly scheduled medical examination?

This is important because some of his critics hint that the reason why he skipped his medical examination was that he knew it would show his addictions were out of control. The suggestion is that it is better to have

Re:I would like to understand this...

[JohnnyComeLately]

Part of this I can respond to and the some will be speculation.

I'm not a pilot, but I am on flying status. Taking any prescription or most over-the-counters drugs stronger than Advil will put me on DNIF status, or Duty Not to Include Flying. I've been on Flying Status my entire career (8 years active, and 1.5 National Guard), so I've only seen the Flight Surgeon.

With that said, today's Air Force is much different than my father's Air Force. My dad was in for four years during the 60s/70s. If I were t