Troop boost will mean longer tours

[Dos Equis]

This really sucks for the soldiers, particularly those who are getting extending in Iraq.  Glad it doesn't affect the 25th ID. 

Troop boost will mean longer tours By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer
WASHINGTON - The military's plan for filling President Bush's order for an extra 21,500 troops in        Iraq will include only one major combat unit that was not otherwise scheduled to go.

The rest of the boost will come from sending a few brigades earlier than planned and extending the tours of others. Affected will be units based in Minnesota, Kansas, Georgia and Washington, said a military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information had not been publicly released.

Whether the military push proves successful or not, it will have ramifications later for an Army and Marine Corps that already are stretched thin.

Some units will have less time at home for rest and retraining between tours than their commanders would like. And the faster pace of deployments could force the Pentagon to call on National Guard and Reserve units more frequently — possibly to remobilize some that already have served in Iraq. . . . .

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070110/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq_troops

[OzmO]

nearly 2 out fo every 3 people are against the Presidents reccomendations.

Considering he's screwed up so much up to now, i don't blame them even if they (american public) have no idea how to run and fight a war.

[mightymouse72]

This really sucks for the soldiers, particularly those who are getting extending in Iraq.  Glad it doesn't affect the 25th ID. 

Troop boost will mean longer tours By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer
WASHINGTON - The military's plan for filling President Bush's order for an extra 21,500 troops in        Iraq will include only one major combat unit that was not otherwise scheduled to go.

The rest of the boost will come from sending a few brigades earlier than planned and extending the tours of others. Affected will be units based in Minnesota, Kansas, Georgia and Washington, said a military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information had not been publicly released.

Whether the military push proves successful or not, it will have ramifications later for an Army and Marine Corps that already are stretched thin.

Some units will have less time at home for rest and retraining between tours than their commanders would like. And the faster pace of deployments could force the Pentagon to call on National Guard and Reserve units more frequently — possibly to remobilize some that already have served in Iraq. . . . .

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070110/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq_troops

any idea how long this "surge" will last?
short term was the only phrase i heard used

[Dos Equis]

nearly 2 out fo every 3 people are against the Presidents reccomendations.

Considering he's screwed up so much up to now, i don't blame them even if they (american public) have no idea how to run and fight a war.

So?  I don't agree either, but opinion polls are absolutely meaningless when it comes to military decisions.

[Dos Equis]

any idea how long this "surge" will last?
short term was the only phrase i heard used

I don't think it will be short term. 

[GroinkTropin]

I'm guessing this will last maybe a year or two, and then will be re-evaluated. The 2008 elections are looming, and I doubt the far right wants to lose the presidency, so I would expect something dramatic to happen in a year or two.

[Jeff Miller]

If they extend me, I don't want them to say "hey, we're extending you".  I want them to say "hey, you're getting an extra $1000 a month".

Accentuate the positive, dammit.