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Letter to the Army by Acting Secretary Mr. Geren and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Casey on Change in Active-duty Deployment Policy
The following is a joint message by Acting Secretary of the Army Mr. Pete Geren and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. to the Soldiers of the U.S. Army and their families regarding the decision to extend active-duty unit in the U.S. Central Command area of operations up to 15 months. This change in deployment duration is necessary to sustain capabilities within the theater, retain flexibility for the commander on the ground, and improve predictability for Soldiers and families. The intent of a "15-months deployed and 12-months back" approach also allows greater assurance that units receive the critical minimum time at home. This change in tour lengths does not affect the Reserve Component forces -- U.S. Army National Guard and Army Reserve -- which will continue to adhere to the current 12-month mobilization policy that took effect in January 2007. Also, individual Soldiers supporting the Worldwide Individual Augmentee System (WIAS) are not affected by this announcement. Soldiers currently in theater will receive assignment-incentive pay for time spent beyond the scheduled one-year deployment. The official U.S. Army message follows:
Change in Active-duty Deployment Policy
Yesterday, we announced that active-duty Army units now in the Central Command area of responsibility and those headed there will deploy for not more than 15 months and will return to home stations for not less than 12 months. We asked for this change. We made this difficult decision after careful thought, and we owe you an explanation. We wanted to tell you in advance, but events caused us to move faster than planned.
The Nation, led by it’s ground forces, has been at war for over five years fighting for America’s freedom, America’s security and America’s future. We are in this war to win. Faced with the increased probability of sending units to combat with less than 12 months dwell time and the possibility of numerous late-breaking unit extensions, and understanding that we are in a long and difficult struggle of uncertain duration that will require a steady deployment of ground forces to uncertain locations, we had to change.
Deployments of 15 months with a minimum of 12 months for reset, retraining and recovery allow us to sustain a predictable flow of well-trained and well-equipped formations to theater commanders. This also allows us to provide a more predictable and dependable deployment schedule for Soldiers and families. Though there is nothing certain in war, this represents a solid commitment to 12 months of dwell time at home. This predictability is essential to the long term health of our Service.
The Army exists to field forces for victory. We know this hard decision asks even more from you and your family, but it is essential to our success. You are the strength of our Nation. We are both personally and profoundly grateful for your service, your many continued sacrifices and your deep commitment to accomplishing our shared mission during this time of danger and uncertainty.
ARMY STRONG!
The following is a joint message by Acting Secretary of the Army Mr. Pete Geren and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. to the Soldiers of the U.S. Army and their families regarding the decision to extend active-duty unit in the U.S. Central Command area of operations up to 15 months. This change in deployment duration is necessary to sustain capabilities within the theater, retain flexibility for the commander on the ground, and improve predictability for Soldiers and families. The intent of a "15-months deployed and 12-months back" approach also allows greater assurance that units receive the critical minimum time at home. This change in tour lengths does not affect the Reserve Component forces -- U.S. Army National Guard and Army Reserve -- which will continue to adhere to the current 12-month mobilization policy that took effect in January 2007. Also, individual Soldiers supporting the Worldwide Individual Augmentee System (WIAS) are not affected by this announcement. Soldiers currently in theater will receive assignment-incentive pay for time spent beyond the scheduled one-year deployment. The official U.S. Army message follows:
Change in Active-duty Deployment Policy
Yesterday, we announced that active-duty Army units now in the Central Command area of responsibility and those headed there will deploy for not more than 15 months and will return to home stations for not less than 12 months. We asked for this change. We made this difficult decision after careful thought, and we owe you an explanation. We wanted to tell you in advance, but events caused us to move faster than planned.
The Nation, led by it’s ground forces, has been at war for over five years fighting for America’s freedom, America’s security and America’s future. We are in this war to win. Faced with the increased probability of sending units to combat with less than 12 months dwell time and the possibility of numerous late-breaking unit extensions, and understanding that we are in a long and difficult struggle of uncertain duration that will require a steady deployment of ground forces to uncertain locations, we had to change.
Deployments of 15 months with a minimum of 12 months for reset, retraining and recovery allow us to sustain a predictable flow of well-trained and well-equipped formations to theater commanders. This also allows us to provide a more predictable and dependable deployment schedule for Soldiers and families. Though there is nothing certain in war, this represents a solid commitment to 12 months of dwell time at home. This predictability is essential to the long term health of our Service.
The Army exists to field forces for victory. We know this hard decision asks even more from you and your family, but it is essential to our success. You are the strength of our Nation. We are both personally and profoundly grateful for your service, your many continued sacrifices and your deep commitment to accomplishing our shared mission during this time of danger and uncertainty.
ARMY STRONG!
