Army weighing policy shift to more involuntary tours

[maddezmom]

11-06) 04:00 PST Washington -- The Army's National Guard and Reserves are bracing for possible new and accelerated call-ups -- spurred by the demand for U.S. troops in Iraq -- that reserve leaders caution could undermine the citizen-soldier force as it struggles to rebuild.

Two combat brigades from the Army National Guard with about 7,000 troops have been identified recently in classified rotational plans for possible special deployment to Iraq, according to senior Army and Pentagon officials, who asked that the specific units not be named. One brigade could be diverted to Iraq next year from another assignment, and the other could be sent there in 2008, a year ahead of schedule.

Next year, the number of Army Guard soldiers providing security in Iraq will rise to more than 6,000 in about 50 companies, compared with 20 companies two years ago, Guard officials said.

"We thought we'd see a downturn in operational tempo, but that hasn't happened," said one Guard official.

A more sweeping policy shift is under consideration that would allow the Pentagon to begin a new wave of involuntary mobilizations of the reserves, as a growing proportion of Guard and Reserve soldiers are nearing a 24-month limit on time deployed, they said.

more;http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/06/MNGF9M6PH71.DTL&feed=rss.news

[acmejack]

1. As the Dick said; "The People may not support it but we know it is the right

thing to do" Tell me that doesn't sound like the rationale for the Draft. "Greetings from the President..."

[Demeter]

2. The Death Throes of the "Volunteer Army"

Do these morons ever think about maybe they're doing something wrong?