The surge in American troops sent to Iraq to combat sectarian violence has put severe stress on our active duty troops. Units are being sent back to Iraq much sooner than anticipated. These units are facing a quick turn around that is not allowing them the rest and training time necessary to maintain readiness. It has been a strain on our troops and on their families. With the increase in troops now being predicted to continue well into 2008, the Pentagon is being forced to look for other ways to relieve the pressure on the active-duty military.

It looks like the plan is to call on our reservists. We have already seen one of the largest call-ups of Individual Ready Reserve Marines. Those Marines are scheduled to report for screening in less than two weeks. In addition, defense department officials have recently said that they are planning to send an additional 12,000 National Guard combat troops into Iraq and Afghanistan. The Guardsmen would come from four combat brigades in different states and will be scheduled for a one year deployment to start in 2008. Some military analysts are predicting that it will require up to nine National Guard units to sustain the current level of troop deployments through 2008.

This large mobilization of reservists and members of the National Guard is certain to cause controversy within the American public and among the politicians in Washington. In spite of the recent legislation passed calling for a withdrawal date, other Senators are prepared to go even further in their anti-war campaign. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has proposed legislation that would cut off most funding for the war in 2008.

The divisive nature of the war right now is one the biggest problems our troops are facing. Imagine how difficult it will be for a member of the National Guard to receive his orders to Iraq when he is confronted nightly with an ever more acrimonious debate on the war. How will he be able to leave his family and go to combat with a sense of confidence or commitment when those qualities are lacking in the both the American public and government? We need to make a decision about the war and we need to make it quickly. We are either committed to victory or we are not. Our politicians need to stop posturing and jockeying for the upcoming election. We need a no-nonsense discussion on the war, we need a firm decision and we need to unite as a nation behind that decision and give our troops unqualified support for their mission.