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For Immediate Release
January 17, 2007 |
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Shays Urges Limit to
DoD Use of Stop-Loss Policy
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Christopher Shays (CT)
today expressed concern to Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary
Robert Gates about the use of “stop-loss,” or
forced extension of a soldier’s activation. Shays, with
Randy Kuhl (NY), Steven LaTourette (OH) and James Ramstad
(MN), encouraged Gates to limit the use of the policy and
stay true to the time commitment the military makes to each
soldier about his or her tour of duty.
In a letter, the group wrote:
“We are writing with respect to the President’s
plan to surge 21,000 troops to Iraq over the coming months,
and specifically how the Department of Defense (DOD) intends
to provide the manpower necessary to reach this troop level.
“While we may have differing views on the President’s
plan, we share his desire both for a successful outcome to
the war in Iraq and his commitment to the brave men and women
that so honorably served our nation. It is in this regard
we express our deep concern DOD finds it necessary to utilize
stop-loss to meet our manpower needs. As you work with the
President and the branches of the military, we urge you in
strongest terms to limit the use of this policy.
“When soldiers deploy for a tour abroad, they and their
families literally count the days until their return home.
Due to a variety of reasons, we are extending tours and recapturing
those who have sought to retire and leave the military. This
policy harms morale, places an undue burden on the families
of soldiers, and damages the military leadership’s credibility.
We believe this policy will harm recruitment efforts.
“In addition, while DOD has utilized stop-loss frequently
throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom, we noted last week’s
announcement by Joint Chiefs Chairman Peter Pace that the
Pentagon has abandoned its limit on the time reserve components
can be required to serve on active duty. This announcement
concerns us.
“While our citizen-soldiers have responded admirably
to their increased role in meeting our military’s manpower
needs, the policy change extending the cumulative time on
active duty for the Iraq or Afghan war beyond 24 months betrays
their trust, separates families and threatens to devastate
the likelihood that active duty soldiers will follow-up their
service with time serving in the Reserves.
“The bottom line is our troops and their families deserve
realistic estimates about the length of their deployment.
If a deployment is for twelve months, then have them serve
for twelve months and no longer. If it is for fifteen months,
then have them serve fifteen months and no longer. We urge
the Department to take all reasonable steps to reduce the
number of stop-loss extensions.”
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Contact: Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
Contact:
Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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