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Army reserve fears troop exodus Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-09-29-reserves_x.htm http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-09-29-reserves_x.htm Army Reserve fears troop exodus By Dave Moniz, USA TODAY If the United States is unable to recruit significantly more international troops or quell the violence in Iraq in the next few months, it could trigger an exodus of active and reserve forces, the head of the U.S. Army Reserve said Monday. With the Army stretched thin by the Iraq campaign, Army Reserve soldiers could be mobilized for 15 months or more. By Rob Griffith, AP Lt. Gen. James Helmly, chief of the 205,000-member Army Reserve, said he and other Pentagon leaders will be monitoring retention rates closely next year, when problems could begin to become apparent for full-time and part-time soldiers coming off long tours of duty in Iraq. "Retention is what I am most worried about. It is my No. 1 concern," Helmly told USA TODAY's editorial board. "This is the first extended-duration war the country has fought with an all-volunteer force." Helmly described the war on terrorism as an unprecedented test of the 30-year-old all-volunteer military. Historically, he said, the National Guard and Reserve were designed to mobilize for big wars and then bring soldiers home quickly. Today, he said, they have "entered a brave new world" where large numbers of troops will have to be deployed for long periods. Counting training time and yearlong tours in Iraq, some Army Reserve soldiers could be mobilized for 15 months or more. Helmly described the situation facing soldiers in Iraq as "stressed" but said he could not characterize it as at a "breaking point." The stresses facing the nation's reservists were demonstrated again this week when the National Guard announced it had alerted a combat brigade from Washington state that it could be sent to Iraq next year if a third block of international troops cannot be recruited to join the British and Polish-led divisions now in Iraq. Guard officials said Monday that the 5,000-member 81st Army National Guard brigade from Washington state has been notified that it could be called to active duty. Helmly said a huge factor in Iraq will be the Pentagon's ability to train an Iraqi army and security force. The Defense Department recently announced plans to accelerate the development of an Iraqi army, pushing the goal from 12,000 troops to 40,000 troops in the next year. The Army National Guard and Army Reserve have about one-fourth of their troops — nearly 129,000 soldiers — on active duty. The active-duty Army and the Army Reserve both met their recruiting goals for the fiscal year that ends today. The Army National Guard, however, is expected to fall about 15% short of its recruiting goal of 62,000 soldiers. Although the Guard and Reserve say their retention rates have not suffered this year, the figures could be misleading. Under an order known as "stop loss," soldiers on active duty are prohibited from leaving the service until their tours end. Active-duty and Reserve commanders fear that when U.S. soldiers on yearlong rotations come home next year, many will choose to leave the service.

soldiers-mental-toll 15 000 more troops iraq { May 16 2003 } 1700 soliders have deserted in iraq { December 5 2003 } 20 000 more troops 6 louisiana national guard soldiers mourned { January 11 2005 } 63 percent voters call for immediate troop withdrawal Abandoned pets problem while troops gone { April 12 2005 } America will stay in iraq says bush Army accepting more recruits with felonies { April 22 2008 } Army allows criminals for recruitment Army captain sues government about iraq assignment Army covers up soldier dissenters assassination Army keeping soldiers on duty { June 2 2004 } Army misses recruitment by 42 percent { May 16 2005 } Army not meeting recruiting goals { February 21 2005 } Army orders mother of 7 to duty { November 9 2003 } Army plans to keep troop level through 2006 { January 25 2005 } Army raises enlistment age for reservists { March 21 2005 } Army recalling thousands who left service Army recruiter threatens warrant on recruitee { May 11 2005 } Army reserve becoming broken force says general { January 6 2005 } Army reserve fears troop exodus Army sergeant refused iraq duty charged with desertion Army spread thin caling on same units Army stop loss prevents soliders from leaving army { January 28 2006 } Army trying to keep troops from leaving { January 5 2004 } Army will ease standards for recruits { October 1 2004 } Awol desserters crisis hits armed forces Black army recruits down 41perc since 2000 { March 6 2005 } British troops may stay 10 years Delayed troop return frustrates families Draft discussed by senator on hill Female soldiers eyed for combat Fewer army recruits lined up { July 22 2004 } Franks US stay for years { July 10 2003 } Ged no longer required for recruitment { September 20 2005 } General war has not ended { May 30 2003 } GI bill cant cover soldiers community college { April 29 2008 } Gis want home { August 10 2003 } Iraq combat veterans committing increased homicides { January 13 2008 } Kennedy calls for troops withdrawal Low morale plagues us troops in iraq Marine suicide by cop rather than return to iraq Marines come up short on recruits { February 3 2005 } Marines to reactive thousands reserves { July 2006 } Military opposes draft bill introduced by democrat Mississippi guardsmen denied leave for katrina { September 11 2005 } National guard 10 year record lows on recruiting { July 25 2005 } National guard recruiting slips National guard shipped { June 26 2002 } National guard treated like prisoners { November 25 2004 } New generation of homeless vets emerges { December 2008 } Pentagon delays us troops trip home Pentagon extends tour of duty for 6500 soldiers { October 30 2004 } Reservist commits suicide over city job { March 19 2004 } Reservists may face longer tours of duty { January 7 2005 } Reservists reservations { September 26 2002 } Returned iraq veteran soldier fires at police officer { July 23 2007 } Returning soldiers traumatized by occupation Scores denies leave time to displaced katrina families { September 11 2005 } Seattle high school attempts banning recruiters { May 18 2005 } Seventh day adventist marine jailed { January 5 2005 } Sick wounded us troops wait months barracks Soldier paid to get shot to avoid iraq { August 15 2007 } Soldier sues US military over extended service Soldier who married iraqi to be discharged { December 1 2003 } Soldiers are threatened with iraq duty Soldiers contest stop loss policy in court { December 6 2004 } Soldiers marry iraqi women Soldiers returning hard time to adjust { September 12 2003 } Soldiers sued over forced extension of service { October 20 2004 } Soldiers trying not to report States helpding guardsman because fed wont { January 19 2005 } Strained army extends tours to 15 months { April 12 2007 } Thousands of soldiers older than 50 deployed { October 17 2004 } Top democrats call for iraq pullout Tour of duty extended reserve forces Troop r and r budget wont cover costs Troops buy their own body armor { September 30 2005 } Troops have tough questions for rumsfeld { December 8 2004 } Troops questioned rumsfeld on long deployments { December 8 2004 } Troops return after 2 years { January 4 2004 } Troops to stay assignment seven years Unconfirmed mutiny in iraq Us forces extended tours duty US soldier suicide rate highest for 26 years { August 16 2007 } Us troops question presence in iraq { October 17 2003 } War veterans neglected abused at top medical facility { February 18 2007 } Worst recruiting years for army in decades { September 30 2005 } Files Listed: 88

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