Guard chiefs gather at Virgin Islands resort

[AnotherVietnamVet]

Source: Associated Press / Army times

Guard chiefs gather at Virgin Islands resort
By Richard Lardner - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Jun 29, 2008 12:16:07 EDT

WASHINGTON — There’s been no official casualty report from this week’s meeting of National Guard leaders in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but the damage could be high. Sunburns. Hangovers. Lost golf balls.

`snip`

Bunkered in the exclusive Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort on St. Thomas and surrounded by spectacular views of the Caribbean, dozens of generals and several hundred other senior Guard leaders battled with Power Point presentations and fought through sessions on strategic planning and strategic imperatives.

`snip`

No doubt National Guard officials, who’ve seen the force stretched to the breaking point by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, have plenty to discuss. But when the Guard can barely make ends meet — there’s a $47.5 billion deficit in the equipment accounts — maybe it’s best for the brass not to hold a meeting in a tropical paradise while the troops are dodging roadside bombs in Iraq or filling sandbags along the Mississippi River.

`snip`

The Guard said it could not immediately calculate the cost of the event, which began Monday and ended Friday evening, because not every state sends the same number of people and airfare fees can vary.

Read more: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/06/army_guardparadise_062708/

[SpiralHawk]

1. "We are following the lead of Commander AWOL." - National Guard leaders

"Commander AWOL Bush brilliantly demonstrated the effectiveness of Going On Vacation when National Guard problems mount, and skipping out on responsibilities. We are following the Commander's lead. Smirk."

- National Guard Leaders

[hootinholler]

2. Hmmm, Guard + USVI led me to the Coast Guard, not the National Guard.

They couldn't meet in Topeka or maybe St.Louis? Somewhere central?

Sheesh.

-Hoot