Stop-loss likely to continue in 2009

[unhappycamper]

Stop-loss likely to continue in 2009
By Tom Vanden Brook - USA Today
Posted : Monday Oct 27, 2008 12:49:42 EDT

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, acknowledged in May. But Gates and the Army say the policy is needed to maintain the cohesion of units heading to battle.

“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.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/gns_stoploss_102708/%2e