Reservists volunteering to return early to war zone change minds

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny--reservistrepriman1203dec03,0,1652494.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

December 3, 2003, 3:23 PM EST


ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- An Army reservist who questioned the legality of being redeployed overseas less than a year after returning from Afghanistan stayed behind Wednesday as members of his specialized Civil Affairs battalion shipped out.

Capt. Steve McAlpin wasn't left alone, however.

Several comrades who had volunteered to waive their rights to a full 12 months at home between overseas missions opted, at the last minute, not to return to active duty.

McAlpin, 44, a 25-year military veteran, spent most of last year deployed in Afghanistan and returned home in January. He was dropped from the "battle roster" of the 401st Civil Affairs battalion last week after criticizing his unit's quick turnaround.
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