Officer: Army May Change Reserves Policy

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=542&e=4&u=/ap/20050107/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/reserves

<snip>

The official, who discussed the matter with a small group of reporters on condition of anonymity because the matter has not been fully settled inside the Pentagon (news - web sites), said the Army probably will ask Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld in the next several months to change the policy.

<snip>

Under current policy set by Rumsfeld, a Guard or Reserve member is not to serve on active duty for more than 24 total months. Thus, for example, if a Guard or Reserve member was mobilized for six months after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and later for nine months in Afghanistan, then that person is off limits for duty in Iraq because a yearlong tour there would exceed the 24-month limit. A standard tour in Iraq, for both active-duty and reserves, is 12 months.


If the limit were set at 24 consecutive months, with some break between tours, then in theory a Guard or Reserve member could be mobilized for multiple 12- or 24-month tours in Iraq or elsewhere.


That is the kind of flexibility the Army has decided it needs in order to sustain the forces needed in Iraq and Afghanistan, the official said. He stressed that the Army would make only sparing use of the authority to call up soldiers for longer tours because it would not want to alienate soldiers.

[w4rma]

1. They want to run them into the ground, don't they. (nt)

[SKKY]

11. It certainly appears to be the case, doesn't it...

[Walt Starr]

2. So now they are going to be the Mobilized Reserves

On 23 months, off one.

[phusion]

3. Multiple 24month tours??

Has this ever been the policy?

It seems ludicrous to send these guys off for 2 years at a time, many times over.

It's just wrong...

[pfitz59]

4. Numbers don't add up.....

Unsustainable OPTEMPO is taking its toll on men and equipment. SNAFU is biting the CHICKENHAWKS! I feel a chill breeze.....

[Stuckinthebush]

5. If this keeps up

We will be seeing a draft in the future. They can't continue this way indefinitely.

[Inland]

6. Genetic improvements, self sustaining families mean greater capacity

Turns out opinions on the limits of the reservists have been rendered quaint and obsolete thanks to the gene modification available that make soldiers impervious to fear, exhaustion, even death. And, the ability to store their families in cryo-tanks means that their income won't be missed. 24 months at a time would be nothing.

[BamaGirl]

7. Wonderful

/sarcasm. This doesn't clarify something though. The current policy is 2 years in a 5 year period. This reads like after 2 years there won't be anymore deployments for these guys. That isn't true. They'll either wait 3 years or ignore it. My husband has already done two years. We're hearing to expect another deployment in a year or so, which definitely breaks the 5 year rule. I think this is already a done deal.

[wabeewoman]

8. Maybe a silly question

but if you sign up with one set of rules and they change the rules on you, do you get to say, 'no, thanks?' Seems only fair.

[leftchick]

13. not a silly question but my guess would be...

no. Fair doesn't exist in chimpy*s world.

[two gun sid]

9. This is not the first step toward a draft

it is a draft.

[Journeyman]

10. What company can hold a job open for a Reservists. . .

for a one or two year deployment, knowing full well when he returns it may only be for a year or so at best, then off he goes for another tour?

I fear most of these Reservists will end up in the new class of BushCo manufacturing jobs, flipping burgers and filling drinks. At least their spouses will be able to keep busy and keep their children fed for awhile as they sell off what possessions they own on e-bay.

[Mist]

12. Another back-door draft

Sounds like they're working these troops into the ground. Sooner or later they'll have to do an actual draft.

[Kolesar]

14. There is probably a million former military people Bush could call up

I am guessing at the number, but couldn't bush just say that anybody who has been in the military in the last 6 years can be called back into service? Add to that all the reserves and national guard people, and there will be lots of soldiers to take in a backdoor draft.

[Moderator]

15. Duplicate

much duplicated



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1128035