Area reservists getting 'affairs in order

"We haven't been notified, but we've been given word that we should have our affairs in order," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jim Fusscas of Walton, who is with U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 21.

Fusscas, who was married last June, said his readiness involved organizing personal paperwork — such as bills — and making sure his wife, Heather, has all necessary information.

"I'm just trying to prep her," said Fusscas, who has been in various branches of the military for 20 years. "She doesn't like the fact that I'm with them, but I've been doing it for so long, I just can't seem to get it out of my blood."

Most reserve units have family readiness groups that provide assistance and readiness materials.

"When you're active in the reserves, the military has programs already in play," said former reservist Dennis McTighe, 58, of the 414th Civil Affairs Battalion in Utica. "It's a matter of having your personal and business affairs in order."

McTighe said he had a sibling with power of attorney and a close friend who managed personal affairs.

"They made sure my personal life was in order, even though I wasn't in it," he said.

In addition, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is an agency that acts as a liaison between Reserve component members and civilian employers.

"If you lose the employer, you lose the reservist; if you lose the reservist, you lose the force," said David A. Duffy, chairman of the state ESGR committee, adding that 50 percent of the military is in the reserves.

"It's very important today to keep employer support. It's getting harder and harder because of the frequency and duration of call-ups," he said. "But more than 90 percent are extremely supportive and patriotic."

Some 50,600 reservists and guardsmen are active nationwide, many assigned to homeland duty following the 9/11 attacks. Last week, Pentagon officials said 100,000 more — and possibly 200,000 — may be needed if the country goes to war.

Thomas Hall, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs, said reservists normally get about 30 days to report for active duty, but if war comes, they could be called on much shorter notice.

Hall announced last week that reservists and guardsmen could receive extra notice of possible deployment, a measure that some veteran reservists and guardsmen greet with skepticism.

"Yes, I think it's helpful, but I don't think it's practical," McTighe said. "I don't think it's realistic."

Maj. Joseph M. Cetta, who is assigned to the environmental section of the state headquarters of the New York Army National Guard, said, "I feel it's every military person's obligation to be prepared at all times. It's the nature of the business. ... You should get ready from the day you join."

Reservists usually get three or four weeks' notice, according to Sgt. 1st Class Roderick Fritz of the 77th Regional Support Command.

"I was mobilized in Desert Storm and given several weeks' notice," he said. "It was plenty of time to prepare."

Fritz added that it is rare for reservists to receive less notification. "That's more a thing you see in the movies."

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Melissa Scram can be reached at mscram@thedailystar.com or (607) 441-7213.