Soldier Expansion Program

[Dragon Lady]

Soldier expansion program
6/2/2004 4:39 PM
By: Capital News 9 web staff

Thousands of soldiers will have to wait a bit longer to leave the military.

The Army is expanding its program called "stop-loss." That
means many soldiers who were planning to retire or leave their unit at the end of their terms will instead have to complete their
deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan.

The expansion announced on Wednesday, only affects units that are 90 days away or less from deploying. It comes as the Army struggles to find fresh units to send to Iraq. Soldiers won't be able to leave the service or transfer from their unit until they return to their home base. But commanders will have the ability to make exceptions for soldiers with special circumstances.

A top general said troops that have worked together for a while
perform better.