Army leaders push to shorten Iraq tours

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON - As security improves in Iraq, pressure is building to reverse one of the most onerous decisions Defense Secretary Robert Gates made to enable President Bush's troop buildup to go forward this year: extending the tours of active-duty soldiers from 12 months to 15 months.

The extra three months is a weighty burden, both physically and psychologically, for soldiers already stressed by multiple tours, and on families coping with strains that have mounted since the war began in 2003.

"We can't sustain that," Gen. George Casey, who was the top U.S. commander in Iraq before becoming the Army chief of staff at the Pentagon in April, said recently. "We have to come off that." He said a decision on cutting tour lengths could be announced in three months or four months.

Army leaders are pushing to shorten tour lengths back to 12 months by summer, when Bush's troop buildup is scheduled to end. But senior commanders in Baghdad appear reluctant to commit to a change until perhaps late next year, fearing that Iraqi stability still will be in doubt until that point.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071209/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/iraq_long_tours_2;_

[rodeodance]

1. wasn't this what the failed Sen. webb amendment was all about!!!

[tabasco]

2. There's only four ways to do this:

1. Put all the remfs into infantry slots.
2. Put all the USAF and Navy desk jockeys in the infantry.
3. Start the draft.
4. Reduce the number of troops in Iraq by 50%.