AZ_Infantry
Active member
What was the "normal deployment schedule" during WW II?
Did the american efforts decrease as the war dragged on?
Did american soldiers "loose drive" during that conflict?
I might be cynical here, ( I have been once or twice before) but it seems to me that people have different opinions about what is reasonable deployment length depending on ones view on if the war is "just" or not.
A war is a war is a war is a...
KJ.
In the War Deuce we were still on a points system for rotation back to the States. A tour had no set, specific time (which was instigated in Vietnam as a 13-month deployment and still the standard today). The difference between II and Vietnam and now is that now it's obligatory to do more than one tour. Back then it was one and out unless you volunteered to return.
Unfortunately, liberals (not painting, just pulling the term, no flames) have drastically cut military funding over the last 20 years or so. We're way too short on manpower to offer the one and out. Hell, the last years I was AD (92/93) they were handing out early separation bonuses like candy at an Easter party.
The fact is that politicians and policy makers, much like they did back in the late '50's, made a bad call and downsized us too much. Now the soldiers are paying the price for their actions to cut the defense budget and expenditures.
It wouldn't be such a bad deal except it rarely works as a 13/6. Rather, it's usually deploy for 13 months, get extended for 4 more months, then PCS CONUS for 6 months (2 of which you'll be in NTC for the next deployment), then off for another 13, then possibly another extension, then home for 6...
That's a pretty rough schedule, and guys with 2 and even 3 deployments are righteous to speak up when asked. Their wives are seeing them for 4 months out of 2 and 1/2 years when the REAL deployment schedule is examined.
I don't have any answers, but I'm not blind to the problem. All I can do is keep them in my prayers and support them with every bit of my being.
God Bless You, troops, and Godspeed home. :salute2: