San Antonio Standard

Don Huffines, a gubernatorial candidate running on a platform of border security, has criticized Gov. Greg Abbott's treatment of the Texas National Guard on his official campaign website.

Abbott mobilized 1,500 soldiers in September and another 2,500 in October, with units given less than two weeks' notice to go to the border, according to an Army Times report.

"The operation on the Texas Border is out of control," Huffines stated. "Greg Abbott is ruining the lives of our Texas service members for political gain in the upcoming election."

Military.com reports that several members of the National Guard suspect that Abbott activated them just for political show in advance of the forthcoming election.

Additionally, unit members have claimed an increase in incidents of excessive alcohol consumption, self-harm, and suicide as Guard members lack a defined goal throughout this deployment.

"When I am governor, I will fix the crisis in our National Guard by making sure they receive the appropriate reimbursement and necessary equipment, and then we will finally stop the illegal invasion across our border” Huffines said.

Between October and November, at least 127 of the 150 Texas National Guard men who submitted hardship petitions were refused.

Guard members may submit hardship petitions to be exempted from service in a formal manner.

Many of the hardship claims were from guard members who serve as main caregivers for children or family members suffering from illness.

"I firmly believe that if hardships of soldiers are not considered, then that could lead to more suicides," retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Featherston, the former top NCO of the Texas Army National Guard, told Military.com.

Several guard members were forced to abandon civilian occupations upon mobilization and are now facing delays or inconsistencies in receiving payment from the National Guard.

Additionally, four soldiers of the Texas National Guard committed suicide during a two-month deployment as part of Texas' Operation Lone Star between October and December 2021.