Return to Article: Military's homeland defense, civil support plans fall short, auditors find

By Katherine McIntire Peters kpeters@govexec.com April 17, 2008
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    I agree Katrina showed us what happens when people elect incompetents and cretins and then turn right around and return them to office, stupid is as stupid does

    Dan ketter Posted April 23, 2008 11:30 AM
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    Alfred Mollison said the NG is being drafted...

    It seems to me Mr. Mollison doesn't understand the Guard. I'm in the Guard, and I, like every other citizen-Soldier and citizen-Airman volunteered. We didn't step forward blindly, and we're not victims. We signed up for the Guard by choice.

    As to our readiness - well, there are about 350,000 soldiers in the Army Guard and about 102,000 in the Air Guard. How many are deployed to war zones right now? A relatively small percentage. That means we're meeting our national obligations, and we'll also be ready to meet our domestic obligations. If things overwhelm a single state, we'll call on our neighboring states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The Guard is ready, reliable, and relevant. We are the hometown team in any and every zip code across the U.S.

    While there are challenges, I think it's safe to say the National Guard knows its mission and will do as it always has...answer the call.

    MSB690916 Posted April 22, 2008 1:49 PM
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    Didn't the Katrina Disasterous Response show how bad things will get if we wait for the Department of Homeland Security? How about concentrating on state and local response instead of waiting for directives on high? It seems that in the midst of a regional or state disaster DHS and FEMA will be overwhelmed, yet again. We should be able to call on our state militia, the National Guard! Oh, wait, they're all being drafted to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan...

    Alfred Molison Posted April 18, 2008 4:59 PM
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    A US-wide response drill/exercise is required to obtain real-time readiness data. There should be an opposing force conducting havoc and mayhem within each state simultaneously. A robust inspection/controller team can gather and consolidate for forwarding to the DHS. The COC at the DHS should be able to communicate downward to a responder conducting actions from triage to decontamination etc. Stress the plan(s) and personnel. Keep the exercise simple yet productive. No finger pointing... just determine the TRUTH then FIX the shortages. Obviously, money will be a factor; however, it's either fund proactive actions now or pay more during reactive actions later.

    Dex Posted April 18, 2008 9:59 AM

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Military's homeland defense, civil support plans fall short, auditors find
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