Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Troops to Serve Longer in Iraq

Many will spend more time in combat zones than the boys of World War II

By Sarah Levy, Newser User

Posted Apr 12, 2007 6:46 AM CDT

(Newser) – Army units in Iraq and Afghanistan will have their tours of duty extended to 15 months, from the standard one year, the military said yesterday. The policy—enacted to alleviate troop shortages—allows soldiers to remain at home for at least one year between assignments. “Our forces are stretched," Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates said, "there’s no question about that.”

Democrats, pushing for a deadline for withdrawing troops from Iraq, expressed concern that the move will damage morale, recruiting and retention. Meanwhile, some soldiers are getting the news of their extensions second-hand: One sergeant spotted it while web surfing. “We’re just laughing,” said a bewildered Captain Brice Cooper, “It’s so unbelievable, it’s humorous.”

Arkansas Army National Guard Sgt. John Richmond of Howe, Okla., left, and Sgt. Rosendo Diaz of Ozark, Ark., pack equipment in preparation for deployment to Iraq at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock,... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Repeat Combat Tours Zap Troops' Mental Health

Survey finds steep rise in mental problems among soldiers on third, fourth tours

(NEWSER) - Cutting the time soldiers have between tours of duty helped the Pentagon boost troop numbers in Iraq—but has taken a heavy toll on soldiers' mental health, Reuters reports. An Army survey found a steep rise in mental health problems among soldiers returning for their third or fourth combat tour, and experts say the troops are not getting enough time to recover . "Soldiers are not resetting entirely before they get back into theater," said the head of the Army's mental health advisory team. More»

Army Can't Sustain Troop Demand in Iraq

Not enough soldiers to support surge through spring

(NEWSER) - With nearly all its forces exhausted, the US Army will have to break some promises to sustain the current troop buildup through spring, according to new documents acquired by AP. The Army would have to extend tours, reduce rest, or accelerate use of National Guard members to maintain current levels—all options a war-weary Congress would like to avoid. More»

Soldier Sues Over Fifth Deployment

Reservist takes Army to court over tour he says could cost him home, job

(NEWSER) - A 26-year-old sergeant is suing the army to prevent his fifth deployment to Iraq, claiming that the Army follows inconsistent policies in mobilizing reserves. The military wants reservist Erik Botta return to Iraq next week, the Miami Herald reports, but Botta is suing to stop the order he says will devastate his family, education, and career. More»

Combat Tours to Be Cut

Tours of duty to be cut back to 12 months; Congress to hear troop cut proposals

(NEWSER) - American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are to have their combat tours cut from 15 months to 12 beginning late this summer. The White House plans a formal announcement next week, an insider told the AP. Tours were lengthened last year to boost troop levels in Iraq, and the Army has warned that the "unsustainable" extended deployments are wearing down its soldiers. More»

Soldier Suicides at Record High

Long deployments are raising stress levels, experts warn

(NEWSER) - A record number of US soldiers may have killed themselves last year and it's likely linked to the stresses of war, according to the latest figures from the military. The survey found 121 soldiers died in confirmed or suspected suicides last year, a 20% increase over the previous year and the highest number since the Army started keeping records 30 years ago. The number of attempted suicides has also leaped since the Iraq war began. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Troops to Serve Longer in Iraq

Many will spend more time in combat zones than the boys of World War II

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Related articles

Opinion pieces

Iraq • Afghanistan • military • Robert Gates • US troops • tour of duty • US Army

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Repeat Combat Tours Zap Troops' Mental Health

Survey finds steep rise in mental problems among soldiers on third, fourth tours

Army Can't Sustain Troop Demand in Iraq

Not enough soldiers to support surge through spring

Soldier Sues Over Fifth Deployment

Reservist takes Army to court over tour he says could cost him home, job

Combat Tours to Be Cut

Tours of duty to be cut back to 12 months; Congress to hear troop cut proposals

Soldier Suicides at Record High

Long deployments are raising stress levels, experts warn

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Troops to Serve Longer in Iraq

Many will spend more time in combat zones than the boys of World War II

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Related articles

Opinion pieces

Iraq • Afghanistan • military • Robert Gates • US troops • tour of duty • US Army

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Repeat Combat Tours Zap Troops' Mental Health

Survey finds steep rise in mental problems among soldiers on third, fourth tours

Army Can't Sustain Troop Demand in Iraq

Not enough soldiers to support surge through spring

Soldier Sues Over Fifth Deployment

Reservist takes Army to court over tour he says could cost him home, job

Combat Tours to Be Cut

Tours of duty to be cut back to 12 months; Congress to hear troop cut proposals

Soldier Suicides at Record High

Long deployments are raising stress levels, experts warn

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?