thedrifter
10-27-08, 08:22 AM
Published: 10.27.2008
Army says stop-loss policy likely to continue
USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The Army's use of involuntary extensions of combat duty will likely continue through 2009 despite pledges earlier this year by top military officials to reduce reliance on the policy known as stop loss.
In September, 12,204 soldiers were affected by stop loss, a policy that forces them to remain in the Army after their service commitment has expired. The same number likely will be affected each month through 2009, Army Lt. Col. Mike Moose said Thursday.
Stop loss strains troops and their families, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have acknowledged. But they say it is needed to maintain the cohesion of deployed units.
"The secretary understands the stress on the Army, but . . . he wants to see the Army rely less on stop loss. They need to make better progress on this," Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said Sunday.
Poor planning is to blame, said Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Pa., a retired vice admiral and member of the House Armed Services Committee. "Because of the failures to properly plan and execute this conflict," Sestak said, "there have unfortunately been many false promises and additional burdens placed on our brave troops."
Joe Davis, a spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, criticized the Pentagon for not deploying more of its personnel: 43 percent of active duty soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines have not served in Iraq or Afghanistan. "Being stop-lossed means you and your family have to place your future plans on hold," he said.
Ellie
Army says stop-loss policy likely to continue
USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The Army's use of involuntary extensions of combat duty will likely continue through 2009 despite pledges earlier this year by top military officials to reduce reliance on the policy known as stop loss.
In September, 12,204 soldiers were affected by stop loss, a policy that forces them to remain in the Army after their service commitment has expired. The same number likely will be affected each month through 2009, Army Lt. Col. Mike Moose said Thursday.
Stop loss strains troops and their families, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have acknowledged. But they say it is needed to maintain the cohesion of deployed units.
"The secretary understands the stress on the Army, but . . . he wants to see the Army rely less on stop loss. They need to make better progress on this," Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said Sunday.
Poor planning is to blame, said Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Pa., a retired vice admiral and member of the House Armed Services Committee. "Because of the failures to properly plan and execute this conflict," Sestak said, "there have unfortunately been many false promises and additional burdens placed on our brave troops."
Joe Davis, a spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, criticized the Pentagon for not deploying more of its personnel: 43 percent of active duty soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines have not served in Iraq or Afghanistan. "Being stop-lossed means you and your family have to place your future plans on hold," he said.
Ellie