Critique my 156th ltte on BCTs and multiple deployments

[w8liftinglady]

As the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan rage on,the disproportionate burden our troops bear becomes more evident.Today,I would like to focus on Brigade Combat Teams(BCT).High-intensity combat is the norm for these front line units.These units are also the most likely to serve multiple deployments.
Texas units have paid an extraordinarily high price in The War.While most BCT units lose 21 soldiers per deployment,Texas units have lost double that. Several
Texas BCTs experienced dramatically higher fatality rates: the 3rd BCT/1st
Cavalry Division lost 56 Soldiers during its most recent tour, 167 percent above
the average, and the 1st BCT/4th Infantry Division lost 57 Soldiers from December
2005 to December 2006, 171 percent above the average. Altogether, Fort Hood has lost more Soldiers than any other American military installation: 436 in the past five years.
These mortality rates,combined with multiple deployments and dwell times of less than a year between deployments,are causing a terrible strain to our troops and their families.Interestingly enough,there have been several pieces of legislation introduced to address this unbearable burden so few bear.
Senate Amendment 2909,introduced by Senator Jim Webb,specified minimum periods between deployment of units and members of the Armed Forces deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. It prohibited the deployment of members of the regular armed forces unless the time period between deployments is at least as long as the period of the previous deployment and prohibited the deployment of members of the Reserve Armed Forces and National Guard if the member has been deployed within the preceding three years.
You would think that our legislators would favor something as critical as the welfare of our troops and their families,wouldn't you?The amendment lost due to the votes of 44 Republicans.The following Senators voted Nay:Cornyn,Hutchison,and McCain.This is how these legislators support our troops-waving a flag while placing party loyalty ahead of the welfare of our troops.
Election day is soon.Research the voting records of your candidates before pulling the lever.