California Drivers watch out for National Guard at checkpoints without Reflective Vest

[itsrobert]

Please be careful out there. Just seen on Channel 10 KGTV San Diego, National Guard troops on a checkpoint in total darkness without a reflective vest in dark Army Utility Uniform (ABU?). Please be safe.

[uppityperson]

1. why doesn't the Ntl Guard have reflective vests?

kick

[virgdem]

2. For the same reason...

that the National Guard does not have the proper protective armor in Iraq. How sad!

[seriousstan]

3. So they can shoot you better, That is just what I have read.

Armed Reserve units have been deployed in Cali.

:sarcasm:

[mvccd1000]

4. Maybe they left home without them? Started the shift when the sun was up?

Just didn't think about it? I really don't think there's a national shortage of reflective vests...

(AND, if they're not used to doing traffic patrol- like the police are - they may simply have never considered them.)

I'll bet that as soon as someone points it out to them, that will change.

[Tesla]

5. Com'on Arnold, get them some vests!!

George won't!

[Breeze54]

6. "Maybe left them at home?" This is the ARMY!!!

:rofl:

They're always ready!!

But some of the CA National Guard also got evacuated and burned out of their barracks,
so maybe their reflective vests, got left behind, if they ever had any to begin with.

Usually soldiers in a war zone DON'T wear reflective vests!! :rofl:

[mvccd1000]

8. Actually National Guard.... one weekend a month, two weeks a year?

They live at home and lead normal lives until they are mobilized. If they were called up in a hurry for this duty, I can see where reflective vests would not be one of the priority items they might have grabbed on the way out the door. :)

Still, the OP brings up a good point; they're out there trying to help with things. Please watch out and don't turn one of them into your hood ornament!

[Breeze54]

9. Not all are "at home"...

Guard Called in to Fight California Fires

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,154618,00.h...

Army News Service | October 23, 2007

WASHINGTON --

The California National Guard has been directed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to make 1,500
Guard members available to support efforts to fight at least 14 wildfires that are ravaging
the drought-stricken southern part of the state.

The Guard members included 200 troops who are patrolling the California-Mexico border as part
of Operation Jump Start, the mission to keep illegal aliens from entering the United States.

More than 200 Guard members were sent to help with San Diego civilian evacuations, California
Guard officials reported.

One hundred Guard troops were sent to Qualcomm Stadium, home of the San Diego Chargers,
and another hundred were dispatched to the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

The California governor on Sunday requested that four California Guard helicopters support
the firefighting mission.

Most of the troops remained on standby Monday night. They would be deployed at the direction of
the governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) to areas where they could most help the efforts
to save lives from the dangerous wildfires blown by fierce desert winds and to prevent looting.

At least 300,000 people along the 150 miles between San Diego and Malibu, west of Los Angeles,
were warned to leave their homes by Tuesday morning; at least one person was killed and dozens
more were injured by the fires that covered nearly 246,000 acres, equal to 384 square miles,
the Associated Press reported. Among the evacuees were members of a National Guard unit that
had to flee its barracks, officials said.

More....

My son served in Iraq with the (International) National Guard, so I do understand. ;)

[lonestarnot]

7. Walmart all out Arnold?

[AZBlue]

10. OMG! Raid the school closets!!

Crossing guards have protective vests and school's out right now.