Army Expanding 'Stop-Loss' Program

[Wickerman]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&e=1&u=/ap/20040602/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_us_military

WASHINGTON - The Army will prevent soldiers in units set to deploy to Iraq (news - web sites) and Afghanistan (news - web sites) from leaving the service at the end of their terms, a top general said Wednesday.


The announcement, an expansion of an Army program called "stop-loss," means that thousands of soldiers who had expected to retire or otherwise leave the military will have to stay on for the duration of their deployment to those combat zones.


The expansion affects units that are 90 days away or less from deploying, said Lt. Gen. Frank L. "Buster" Hagenbeck, the Army's deputy chief of staff for personnel. Commanders have the ability to make exceptions for soldiers with special circumstances; otherwise, soldiers won't be able to leave the service or transfer from their unit until they return to their home base after the deployment.

snip

Anyone still not feeling a draft?

[phantom power]

1. they are such cowards

They know that they need a draft to adequately support their idiotic wars, but they'd rather limp along, doing anything in their power to avoid it until after the elections.

They lack the courage of their convictions.

[Wickerman]

2. But Come November3rd, Condi bar the door

we'll see draft legislation introduced. Actually, I am beginning to think they may even lameduck legislation if they need to. Then it would all be Kerry's fault.

[lebkuchen]

3. This is sure to be a Stripes headline, and will not win Bush votes

Over 500 readers have voted on that article in the last hour, most likely a military readership.

Military families are stressed to the max. The sponsor wishing to separate cannot, and with never-ending deployments, spouses are now figuring out that it could be ages before they see their husband/wife again, if ever.

[Wickerman]

5. The article must be burning a hole on the .mil email servers

there were about 50 votes when I posted this. My nephew just got shipped to Afghanistan yesterday. Leaves a new, young wife and dog in Germany. Less than a year after a year in Iraq and Kuwait. Its killing my sister.

[saigon68]

4. The pool of Enlistees will be restricted

To only those having a desire to kill and A DESIRE to bully the brown man.

Anyone with a brain is not going to be seduced by the FREE COLLEGE EDUMUCATION.

[David__77]

6. I think "don't ask, don't tell" is not suspended though.

In 1990, the ban on lesbians and gay men in the military was suspended for the first Iraq war. So there is still now a way out if someone wanted to take it. If the powers-that-be do suspend the ban now, then it's a signal for lesbians and gay men in the military to serve openly. It would be hard to go back to the ban if they suspend it.

[Moderator]

7. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x597021