Why Change the Guard-GITMO
Another reason I advocate moving the Guard to Homeland Security is because of Guantanamo Bay. In 2004, as I have mentioned before the Massachsuetts and New Jersey National Guard were used to guard the facilities to hold prisoners from the Global War on Terror.
If the National Guard had the added layer of the a seperate Secretary to back them, guardsmen would not have been wasted on these style of operations. I agree once they are activated they must comply with what the Joint Chiefs orders them to to do. What I am advocating is allowing another person to be in that decision making process.
In June 2004 the Inspector General Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Deskis issued this statement to the troops stationed at Gitmo.
By LTC Anthony Deskis
Having a successful inspector general experience requires
several steps:
•
Give the chain of command a chance to solve the problem.
The chain of command can solve most problems. A soldier’s
chaplain, congressman, or local IG can help on occasions,
but they must ultimately work with the chain of command.
If you have not informed the chain of command
about your issue and given them a chance to work it,
in most cases, the IG will simply refer you back to your
chain of command. The IG is a kind of "court of last resort." If
other remedies are available, use them first. If the proper
system and/or the chain of command is not able to solve
the problem, then the IG is probably appropriate.
•
Level with the IG from the beginning because the IG
will soon find out the “rest of the story.”
The IG and soldier waste a lot of time and effort when the
IG only knows half of the story. Very often, soldiers only
present the information that they feel is in their favor. The
IG can only take action when they have all of the facts about
a situation – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Save us both
some time and provide all of the facts, even the ones that
you do not agree with or like.
•
An IG is not a commander. An IG can only recommend,
not order. Some soldiers get upset when nothing seems to happen
as a result of their complaint. Keep in mind that the IG can
advise a commander but cannot order action. Regulations
obligate commanders to take action when standards are broken,
or when a soldier has not been afforded due process. But
if a commander has the authority to make the decision, and
the decision does not violate a written procedural, legal, or
ethical standard, the commander’s choice may stand.
I must disclose that Colonel Deskis and I served in the same command, the 8th Battalion 40th Armor out of Fort Huachuca around the same time. but I have no recollection of the man. So I am not sure we ever met.
This may seem cut and dry to others, but moving the Guard to Homeland Security would have prevented any involvement in what would be politically unpopular back in thier home states.
