Guardsmen Are 'Weekend Warriors' No More

G R A N T S  P A S S, Ore., Jan. 4 -- The bucolic vistas of southern Oregon — moist, green and rural — are a world away from the rugged, dry mountains of Afghanistan or the parched sands of Egypt's Sinai Desert.

"The heat, initially, was staggering for people from Oregon," said Lt. Col. Dan Cameron of the Oregon National Guard. "When we arrived in midsummer, it was touching between 110 and 115 routinely."

But for the 600-plus National Guard troops from Oregon now serving in those remote places, the climate is the least of their adjustments.

"Well, I've been in the Guard a long time," Gen. Alexander Burgin said. "And I think this is, undoubtedly, the most stressful period of time, basically because of the unknown."

As part of the largest mobilization of Oregon Guard troops since World War II, their civilian lives have been drastically disrupted.

"It isn't necessarily a lack of willingness to fulfill our obligation," Burgin said. "It's a matter of, what's tomorrow or what's six months from now? And when can I get back to my school? Or when can I get back to my employer? When can I get back to my community and live somewhat of a normal life?"

‘Weekend Warriors’ No More

There are currently 6,000 of these so-called citizen soldiers on duty all over the world, primarily at posts vacated by active-duty troops now deployed in trouble spots. National Guard troops have sometimes been disparaged as "weekend warriors" because their service time is typically limited.

"One weekend a month, two weeks in the summer, and be able to go to college," Spec. Cole Calicoatt said. "That's what I was looking at, at the time."

But that old stereotype is changing. The National Guard troops from Oregon departed early in 2002, knowing that their overseas deployment would last more than six months. It is now eight months and counting.

When Sgt. John Esch's 1042nd Air Ambulance Company was preparing to leave, his sons broke from the crowd for one last hug.

"He just wanted one last goodbye," said Esch's wife, Susanne. "He didn't know when they'd see him again. I know it was really emotional for my husband."