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April 29, 2008
The Last Line
by (name witheld by request)
The Military Department of the State of California maintains a ready force of about 30,000 soldiers that serve not only here, but in many other countries. This combined force of air and army is larger than the standing armies of many modern nations. Our combined military reserve from all states is currently serving in 25 other countries. They are combat soldiers, peace keepers, natural disaster and medical relief teams, trainers, communication specialists, liaison officers and more.
When a disaster threatens the citizens of California, the components of the California National Guard is our last line of defense. You might say they are our “life line”, and rightly so because these soldiers often make the difference between life and death; their job is that important.
Every soldier serving in our State's military forces has a vital role and everyone fits into the chain of command.
I've seen a lot of different battledress uniforms come and go in my life. Olive Green Fatigues, Tiger Stripes, Woodland BDU's, the "chocolate-chip camouflage, 3-color Desert BDUs and now the new ACU's. The colors and patterns change depending on the mission, but one thing that hasn't changed and they are these 7 words:
Loyalty, duty, respect, service, honor, integrity & courage
These 7 words are pounded into every soldier until they can recite them in their sleep, with the intent that they will remain with them throughout their military careers and on into civilian life.
Do we have soldiers that have failed us? Yes, it happens and those few have tarnished the reputation of our military and we take great offense to that. But, we should all be consoled knowing that 99% of our soldiers do not fail us and they live, eat, sleep and breathe these 7 words until they become as one creed, combined in the character of the California National Guard and all their components within the California Military Department.
Where else in life will you find so many, so committed, to doing the right thing?
We are the last line, we are the state military forces of California!
Posted by Post Scripts at April 29, 2008 08:41 AM