Reservists from Kentucky allege mistreatment during Iraq prep

Reservists allege mistreatment during Iraq prep
By Gregg Zoroya - USA Today
Posted : Thursday Jul 14, 2011

More than 635,000 National Guard and Reserve troops have been sent overseas since Sept. 11, 2001, most of them to Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly 57,000 are currently mobilized.

Nearly 200 Reservists in Iraq have signed a complaint accusing the Army of mistreatment and discrimination during the months they were preparing for war.

The soldiers say their movements and freedoms were severely restricted during a four-month training before deployment, describing it as virtually a "lockdown" confinement to base. The Army says it was pushing to get Reservists trained and denies discriminatory treatment.

The soldiers are with a Kentucky-based attack helicopter battalion — nicknamed "The Flying Tigers" — that went to Iraq in January. The request for an inquiry by Congress was signed by 178 soldiers or nearly half of the battalion, including company commanders.

No action has been taken on the petition, filed April 1.

"Army Reserve soldiers love the Army, they love their jobs and they love their country," the complaint says. "They also understand that service is voluntary, and if not shown the respect and courtesy accorded their active-duty brethren, they will no longer be willing to make the personal, family and civilian-life sacrifices required."
read more here

Reservists allege mistreatment during Iraq prep