Reservists dismayed by Iraq tour extension, but general says it's final

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http://estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=17465

“There has been some confusion, OK,” Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez said in discussing unit rotations during an interview. “The confusion comes when you start talking to Reserve components and you say ‘one year,’” Sanchez said.

Activation time lines, whatever the length, have traditionally included the time it took reservists to mobilize and train for a mission, as well as the often lengthy demobilization process, he said.

“What has happened within this week is that it has been made one year on the ground, which is a significant change for the Reserve component. They have to mobilize, one year on the ground, and then after leaving the theater.”

The decision, according to military officials, leaves reservists in Iraq for a full year — plus, in many cases, months more in mobilization, train up and demobilization time.

Stars and Stripes interviewed more than a dozen soldiers. All of them — officers and enlisted troops alike — agreed the Pentagon decision was a tough blow.