Pentagon abandons active-duty time limit

[deminks]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070112/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq_military

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has abandoned its limit on the time a citizen-soldier can be required to serve on active duty, officials said Thursday, a major change that reflects an Army stretched thin by longer-than-expected combat in Iraq.

The day after President Bush announced his plan for a deeper U.S. military commitment in Iraq, Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters the change in reserve policy would have been made anyway because active-duty troops already were getting too little time between their combat tours.

The Pentagon also announced it is proposing to Congress that the size of the Army be increased by 65,000, to 547,000 and that the Marine Corps, the smallest of the services, grow by 27,000, to 202,000, over the next five years. No cost estimate was provided, but officials said it would be at least several billion dollars.

Until now, the Pentagon's policy on the Guard or Reserve was that members' cumulative time on active duty for the Iraq or Afghan wars could not exceed 24 months. That cumulative limit is now lifted; the remaining limit is on the length of any single mobilization, which may not exceed 24 consecutive months, Pace said.

[Donnachaidh]

1. Indentured servitude anyone?

You can bet none of the chickenhawks will be joining up to *back* their insane president now.

[MadMaddie]

2. So then my question is....how far off is the Draft?

[wellst0nev0ter]

3. This Story Reminds Me Of A Picture That Popped Up During The Election

yeah, that's the one.

Boy those guardsmen should feel stoopid supporting the Boy King back then.

[frylock]

4. the new policy states the length of any single mobilization may not exceed 24 consecutive months..

24 consecutive months?! Are you kidding me?! They'll probably make a regular tour last 18-20 months.

[Tony_FLADEM]

5. Pentagon abandons active-duty time limit

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has abandoned its limit on the time a citizen-soldier can be required to serve on active duty, officials said Thursday, a major change that reflects an Army stretched thin by longer-than-expected combat in Iraq.

The day after President Bush announced his plan for a deeper U.S. military commitment in Iraq, Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters the change in reserve policy would have been made anyway because active-duty troops already were getting too little time between their combat tours.

The Pentagon also announced it is proposing to Congress that the size of the Army be increased by 65,000, to 547,000 and that the Marine Corps, the smallest of the services, grow by 27,000, to 202,000, over the next five years. No cost estimate was provided, but officials said it would be at least several billion dollars.


<http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070112/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq_military>

[IndyOp]

6. Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace. (n/t)