A first within the national guards, the Nationals Guards in the United States. Some of them posted, following the orders of the governor of Texas, on the border with Mexico decided to create a union. They are nearly 10,000 men and many feel useless, poorly paid and mistreated.
With our correspondent in Houston, Thomas Harms
They have been posted at the border for 12 months. These reservists of Operation Lone Star had to leave family and work, to receive lower pay than expected, for an indefinite period. At least four of them have already committed suicide. The National Guardsmen testifying requested anonymity as reported by Texas public radio, TPR.
” We are pawns in a political game. It’s really unpleasant. Deep down, I know it doesn’t make sense. It’s a huge waste of money, it’s a waste of time and resources. »
Guards have been forced to remain on duty, as their civilian work earns them more money, putting their families at financial risk. While they live in deplorable conditions and do nothing most of the time.
” The only comparison I can make is the mission after Hurricane Harvey in 2017 when we slept in school gymnasiums or military premises with no power, but at least in this case a category 4 hurricane had just hit the city. »
Long missions are normally mandated by federal authorities, not local ones, and well in advance in order to be prepared. In this case, it’s different. The guards had 72 hours to prepare and their mission has been going on for months.
The Texas governor is criticized for his handling of the crisis, by his Democratic opponents, but also by members of his own party. ” All this happens because we rushed and it’s a failure, condemns Allen West, the former leader of the Republicans in Texas. It was decided for the media image, for political expediency. »
Allen West expects to beat Greg Abbott in the Republican gubernatorial primary on March 1.