Tours Rolling Back, But Not For All

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Tours Rolling Back, But Not For All
April 10, 2008
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - President Bush plans to announce April 10 that Army units heading to war after Aug. 1 will serve 12-month tours rather than the 15 months that Soldiers are currently deployed, senior defense officials said.

But the reduced tour length will not apply to any Soldiers now serving in Iraq, Afghanistan or other war zones, although that could change later if security conditions improve, the officials said April 9. They spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of Bush's speech.

Bush planned to make the announcement during a morning speech, which is expected to include his endorsement of an indefinite pause in troop cuts after July to reassess force levels in Iraq.

There are 160,000 troops in Iraq, including about 18 combat brigades, and that number is expected to go down to 140,000 - including 15 brigades - by the end of July. Military leaders have consistently said that 15-month tours put too much stress on Soldiers and their families.

After Bush's speech, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were expected to answer questions about the shorter tours when they testify Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/tours-rolling-back-but-not-for-all.html