Sources: Pentagon to stop forced tour extension

[babylonsister]

Source: AP

Sources: Pentagon to stop forced tour extension


PAULINE JELINEK AND KIMBERLY HEFLING | March 18, 2009 12:55 PM EST | AP


WASHINGTON — The Army will substantially reduce use of the unpopular practice of holding troops beyond their enlistment dates and will pay $500 to those still forced to stay in the service, defense and congressional officials said Wednesday.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates was expected to announce later Wednesday that he had approved the plan for cutting the use of so-called "stop loss" except in extraordinary circumstances, The Associated Press has learned.

Some critics have called "stop-loss" a backdoor draft because it keeps troops in the military beyond their retirement or re-enlistment dates. But the military has said it's a necessary tool to keep unit cohesion in times of war.


Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20090318/army-tours/