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The Wisconsin National Guard consists of the:
* Wisconsin Army National Guard
* Wisconsin Air National Guard
The Wisconsin Army National Guard (“Guard”) has dual state and federal roles, and is jointly funded and maintained by both governments. Its federal mission is to provide trained units to the United States Army in time of war or national emergency. Its state mission is to help civil authorities protect life and property and preserve peace, order, and public safety in times of natural or human-caused emergencies. The governor, who is the commander in chief of the Guard when it is not activated for federal service, appoints the adjutant general who directs the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, of which the Guard is a part. Members of the National Guard are typically part-time soldiers who attend unit drills one weekend per month and serve a two-week annual tour of active duty. All officers and enlisted personnel must meet the same physical, education, and other eligibility requirements as members of the active-duty services.
The 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team ("Red Arrow"[1]) is an infantry brigade in the United States Army National Guard. It is the largest unit in the Wisconsin National Guard.[2]
The 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, also known as the Iron Brigade, is based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was formerly known as the 57th Field Artillery Brigade, at which time its subordinate organizations included the 1st Battalion, 126th Field Artillery Regiment and the 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery Regiment from the Wisconsin Army National Guard, plus the 1st Battalion, 182nd Field Artillery Regiment of the Michigan Army National Guard. Not to be confused with the famous "Iron Brigade" of the Civil War, the 57th Field Artillery Brigade is also known as the "Iron Brigade," a nickname traditionally given to crack artillery units in the Civil War. It was during World War I that the 57th Field Artillery Brigade earned its nickname as it spent many hours at the front and fired more artillery rounds than any brigade in the American Army.
The Wisconsin Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is, along with the Wisconsin Army National Guard, an element of the Wisconsin National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as of the state.
Originally posted by louieprima
Keep in mind, the Guard are local Wisconsin boys and gals who are being called there. I'm willing to bet many have family among the protesters. "The Guard" are citizen soldiers, not men from overseas coming with orders to "take out" enemy combatants". In fact, as someone familiar with Katrina, I can tell you that the "rules of engagement"(they are actually called something else for domestic ops) are completely different. Kent State aside(1 incident among hundreds that involved the Guard in the 60s), the Guard is not allowed to fire at groups of American citizens. Also, as you point out, the President can "federalize" the Guard at any time should that violence be imminent. His authority overrides any Governor's. I'm betting the next few days will be unpleasant, but I doubt there will be American troops firing on American citizens at this juncture.
Originally posted by EssenceOfSilence
A fairly peaceful teachers union protest arguing to keep their power over the government is hardly a reason to call out the guard at this point. The governor has them prepared if needed, but it has to get a lot worse before they would be used.
Since none of these teachers are starving they will not have the will to protest endlessly. This is the whole reason they are back in school and letting their hired union protesters do the protesting.
Typically when the national guard is called in it is when the local, or in this case the capital police request support. Also the guard won't show up wielding machine guns and hand grenades. They will show up in protective gear, shields and batons. They are trained to systematically clear the area with minimal force.
My feeling at this point is the time table to pass the bill will pass without a vote from the senate. At that point the governor will have no choice but to begin laying off workers.
edit on 27-2-2011 by EssenceOfSilence because: spelling
Originally posted by xyankee
It would be nice to see the gard side with the protesters. I don't think the cops are stupid enough to light the fuse, or I hope that there are a lot more civilians with firearms to make the gard think.
Originally posted by Aim64C
As a Navy guy, I have to say that I'd never commit to any acts of lethal violence against the citizens I'm sworn to protect.
That said - they've been told to get out of the government building. It is not their right to be inside that building and disrupting the function of government. If they don't get that - I'd gladly chuck a tear-gas grenade into the crowd and -move- anyone who still did not understand out of the building. If they still did not understand, and chose to resist, I would use the hand-to-hand and riot suppression techniques I learned from the Marines.
We all have jobs to do. Mine is not to kill you or oppress you - but there are stipulations to your rights to assembly.
However, should the system of government collapse under the weight of protests and ignoramuses - I will default to defending my conservative ideologies, and would not hesitate to place a bullet in the head of someone I am in fundamental disagreement with and who wishes to impose their way of life upon me and mine.
I have my own goals and people I will protect over the average citizen. I stand in defense of the system and principles of our founded government because they allow a civilized co-existence of two incompatible ideals. When that is demonstrated to fail, there is no other recourse but a state of civil war, and I will move quickly to secure myself and those I care about - prioritizing and disposing of threats.
This is something I've predicted for a while. The separation between conservative and liberal ideology is simply too great. The only peaceful recourse is two separate countries (perhaps two 'virtual' countries - something only possible now with the advent of the internet) where people can live according to their ideologies without imposing those views upon people who will simply not have it.
Otherwise, it will have to be settled at the end of a gun barrel.
Originally posted by beezzer
Just a reminder people, these protesters are there because a) they are upset that they have to pay into their own medical plan and retirement plan b) because they may lose the right to "collectively bargain" (negotiate) said payment arrangements c) they still have the abiliy to "collectively bargain" salaries but that isn't good enough for them
Again, these people are asking for MORE taxpayer money. They want YOU to pay higher taxes so THEY can get more stuff!!
As for the Nat'l Guard? This is exactly what they (the protesters) want. They want more drama, they want people hurt, people shot.
If the Gov. is smart, he won't try to strong-arm these thugs. He'll ignore them. Let them rant, rave, trash the capital. It'll just make them (protesters) look like complete jack-wagons and this'll fade.
OP, with all due respect, I think common sense will win out and this will not occur. If it does, I will humbly apologize.
Beezedit on 27-2-2011 by beezzer because: spellink
Originally posted by Aim64C
As a Navy guy, I have to say that I'd never commit to any acts of lethal violence against the citizens I'm sworn to protect.
I would use the hand-to-hand and riot suppression techniques I learned from the Marines.
We all have jobs to do. Mine is not to kill you or oppress you - but there are stipulations to your rights to assembly.
However, should the system of government collapse under the weight of protests and ignoramuses - I will default to defending my conservative ideologies, and would not hesitate to place a bullet in the head of someone I am in fundamental disagreement with and who wishes to impose their way of life upon me and mine.
Otherwise, it will have to be settled at the end of a gun barrel.
MADISON, Wis. -- The occupation of the Wisconsin Capitol by protesters fighting efforts to strip public workers of union bargaining rights carried on Sunday after police decided not to forcibly remove demonstrators and end a nearly two-week-long sit-in.