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US extends troops' tour of duty US extends troops' tour of duty
(30 minutes later)
US troops will now serve up to 15 months in Iraq and Afghanistan instead of the usual 12-month tours under new Defense Department rules. US troops will now serve up to 15 months in Iraq and Afghanistan instead of the usual 12-month tours under new Defence Department rules.
The move is designed to help the military supply enough troops for ongoing operations.The move is designed to help the military supply enough troops for ongoing operations.
Soldiers will be allowed a minimum of 12 months at home bases upon return.Soldiers will be allowed a minimum of 12 months at home bases upon return.
The extended tours apply to troops currently in Iraq and those about to be deployed, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said. The extended tours apply to troops currently in Iraq and those about to be deployed, Defence Secretary Robert Gates said.
I think that what this recognises, though, is that our forces are stretched Robert GatesUS Defense Secretary
"Effective immediately, active army units now in the Central Command area [Iraq and Afghanistan] and those headed there will deploy for not more than 15 months and will return home to home station for not less than 12 months," he said."Effective immediately, active army units now in the Central Command area [Iraq and Afghanistan] and those headed there will deploy for not more than 15 months and will return home to home station for not less than 12 months," he said.
I think that what this recognises, though, is that our forces are stretched Robert GatesUS Defence Secretary
There are currently 145,000 US troops in Iraq. Reinforcements are needed to help the so-called "surge" against the insurgency that continues to deal heavy blows to Iraqi civilians and coalition forces.There are currently 145,000 US troops in Iraq. Reinforcements are needed to help the so-called "surge" against the insurgency that continues to deal heavy blows to Iraqi civilians and coalition forces.
"I think that what this recognises, though, is that our forces are stretched," Mr Gates said."I think that what this recognises, though, is that our forces are stretched," Mr Gates said.
"There is no question about that... What we are trying to do here is to provide some long-term predictability for the soldiers and their families"."There is no question about that... What we are trying to do here is to provide some long-term predictability for the soldiers and their families".
US Marines - part of the US Navy - are not subject to the extended tours and will serve a seven-month tour overseas and six months at home, in rotation. US Marines - part of the US Navy - are not subject to the extended tours and will serve a seven-month tour overseas and six months at home, in rotation. The Army National Guard and Army Reserve will continue to serve 12-month tours.
Rotation goal
Are you serving with US forces in Iraq or Afghanistan or do you know anyone who will be affected by this news? Send us your comments using the form at the bottom of the page. Your comments: The Pentagon has been struggling to meet its own guidelines regarding the time troops get to spend at home.
My Unit is currently in Iraq, I didn't deploy because I am getting out in two weeks. I watched the press announcement and it really wasn't clear about the Marine deployments. We typically deploy for 7 months and are back for a year which is significantly different from the Army. Either way I believe moral just dropped too an all time low... (if that was possible). No one believes Washington anymore. a Marine rifleman, Camp Pendleton Ca Mr Gates said the new policy would remain in place until the Defence Department was confident enough to drop it back to 12-month tours, with 12 months at home and ultimately "to the rotation goal for Army active duty forces of 12 months deployed and 24 months at home".
Right now, my sister's marriage is being destroyed by this game our government is playing with our troops. First, they cancel leaves, now they extend tours? We need to be more cognizant of the far-reaching implications of such decisions - all the way from the lives and loves of the troops themselves to the global impact of the US's continued involvement. Anonymous, Boulder, Colorado The decision is the latest step by the Bush Administration to cope with increased demands on the military in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This has got to be very disappointing news to the troops. My nephew was looking forward to a return home in October. My sister is just going to be sick, as are many of us. What a waste!Mary Beth Dimijian, Dallas, Texas USA Up to 30,000 new US troops have been assigned to Iraq for the security crackdown on militias, which began two months ago.
Our son is a US Army Infantry soldier currently fighting in the streets of Baghdad. We are OUTRAGED at this deployment extension, but not surprised. (Our son had mentioned a while ago that this extension was beginning to look like a real possibility.) Our soldiers fighting in the streets are worn out...AND their equipment is worn out!!!! They are not adequately supplied!! How can they continue this fight under these conditions?! We need to GET OUT NOW! TOO MANY have been sacrificed!!US Soldier's Mom, United States Last week US and Iraqi troops launched an operation to extend the recent security drive beyond Baghdad to other parts of the country.
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Jets and tanks supported ground troops in the offensive against militiamen loyal to radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in Diwaniya, 180km (110 miles) south of Baghdad.