U.S. Military Not Prepared on the Homefront

The U.S. military is not ready for a catastrophic attack on the country, and National Guard forces do not have the equipment or training they need for the job, according to a report. Even fewer Army National Guard units are combat ready today than were nearly a year ago when the Commission on the National Guard and reserves determined that 88 percent of the units were not prepared for the fight, said a new report just released. The independent commission is charged by Congress to recommend changes in law and policy concerning the Guard and reserves. The commission's 400 page report concludes that the nation "does not have sufficient trained, ready forces available" to respond to a chemical, or biological attack.