For those who don't remember the period:

My first Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was for missions targeting Cuba, where the Soviets had aircraft deployed. There was a need for air defense in the Gulf of Mexico.

BTW, ANG and Reserve units did fly transport/support missions in SEA. There was a pilot shortage, so an awol trained pilot was a big deal.

He reneged on one oath of office; what's to keep him from doing so again?

Oh, wait. I guess that should be "what's to keep him from doing so again and again?"

From all I read I am still puzzled about the part where he was able to go AWOL for so long. I was too young for Vietnam but old enough to see many of my older brother's friends get drafted. However we never knew anyone who got into the Guard -I guess we didn't move in the right circles.

So what was the typical service requirements for Bushes 6 year commitment? I'm guessing he was fulltime during basic and flight training, but after that what was required? Show up a weekend a month, be on call, or something more? How easy was it to drop out of sight for months at a time?

It'd be a great help in fleshing out the whole picture. Also how common was it to get out early back then?

Almost no one who was still breathing got out early. You might get transferred to the inactive reserve in a few, limited, circumstances, but you finished your tour.

The guys coming from active duty due to the draft were transferred to the reserve at the end, but you received a second discharge from the reserves after six-years of total service.

A pilot was never let go if he could fly, there was a shortage and you have to extend your enlistment to get the flying slot.

Bush got help to get into the Guard. He got help to get into flight training. He got help to get a direct commission. He got help to get a transfer to Alabama. He got help to get out early. With this much help, why would he worry about showing up for drills or taking inconvenient flight physicals.

1. Timely
   
2. Strategery
   
3. Webb wins
   
4. Huh?
   
5. Bunnypants in Bagdad
   
6. Outage
   
7. Filthy Lucre Watch
   
8. Playing the numbers
   
9. My letter to Countdown
   
10. Jefferson's Nigerian Scams