Reservists face possible 2-yr tour-of-duty

Reserve Army officers on Saipan received a briefing Sunday morning for possible active deployment early next year as support for the 442nd Infantry Brigade.

Reservists in the CNMI refused to comment on the briefing made by Army Reserve commander and deputy commissioner Franklin Babauta but initial reports disclosed that 80 to 100 reservists in the CNMI received immediate notification of possible deployment.

According to sources, Babauta said there is a 30-day call up on reservists, who may possibly be placed on a 24-month duty.

The source added that in the Department of Public Safety alone, there are about 40 reservists who might be put on call, leaving the department—already besieged by personnel shortage—more vulnerable to problems due to the lack of officers.

“There is an estimated 40 police, fire and ambulatory technician-officers in the DPS who are part of this call. This would leave the DPS all the more short of personnel,” the source explained.

DPS commissioner Edward Camacho himself is an Army reservist. It is unclear however, if Camacho would be included in this call.

The source added that families of reservists on Saipan have expressed fear for the safety of their loved ones since the call-up has been largely kept under wraps.

On July 2, reservists were first notified of the meeting to be held at the Reservists Office in Puerto Rico. The group was briefed about the move to put all military and reservist on alert for duty.

Rep. Ray Yumul, who is also a reservists and currently head of the House Committee on Commerce and Tourism, has refused to comment on the reported call to arms.

On Sunday, the 29th Infantry alerted more than 3,100 soldiers of possible combat duty. Of this, more than 2,000 are members of Headquarters Company; 2nd Battalion located in Hilo; 29th Support Battalion; 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery; 227th Engineer Company; and 229th Intelligence Company; about 650 belong to F Troop, 82nd Cavalry (Oregon); 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry (California); about 500 are members of 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry (Army Reserve), from Guam, Saipan, American Samoa and the neighboring islands.

The brigade and support units from Oregon, California, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa are already scheduled to begin 15 days of annual training on July 17-31 at the Big Island’s Pohakuloa Training Area.

Although the dates and location for the mobilization were not included in the alert order, officials said the biggest demand for troops is in Iraq.

More than 311,000 of 1.1 million active Army, National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers are now serving in overseas assignments. In Iraq alone there are 141,000 soldiers with some 135,000 in Afghanistan.