Tours Not To Be Extended Beyond 15 Months

Blackanthem Military News, COMBAT OUTPOST CLEARY, Iraq – Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston visited Task Force Marne Soldiers in their various areas of operation in Iraq July 16 and cleared up rumors that can sometimes affect morale.

Soldiers from Fort Drum, N.Y., Fort Richardson, Alaska, and Georgia-based troops from Hunter Army Airfield, Forts Stewart and Benning, were all included in his one-day tour of the area.

Among the units Preston visited were 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team at Combat Outpost Cleary and the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team at Patrol Base Murray, both brigades are part of the 3rd Infantry Division.

Preston said he visits the small outposts like COP Cleary because it is important for him to have a feel for concerns that Soldiers and leaders might have. He said he doesn’t truly get a feel for what’s on their minds until he talks to Soldiers and leaders directly.

Preston’s speech began with a clarification of the deployment extension, increasing 12-month deployments to 15 months. He explained the deployment will not exceed 15 months, ending any rumors of an even longer extension.

Preston then opened the floor for questions and provided the opportunity for clarification of any rumors spreading throughout the unit. One Soldier brought up the pay issue on extended tours, and Preston explained each Soldier will be paid an extra $1,000 for every month past 12.

Preston also spoke on military school opportunities after the deployment. He also incorporated recruiting and retention into his motivating lecture.

He said he attributes the Army leadership to retention success. He attributes retention success to the experience and appreciation the Soldiers receive during the Global War on Terrorism.

“Soldiers are out there doing a real world mission,” Preston said. “You don’t really see the effects until you work on the ground. It’s the Soldiers here on the ground, interacting with the people, with the Iraqi army, the Iraqi police, and the National Police who will know if progress is being made. Soldiers believe in the mission they are doing and are being appreciated when they come home.”

Preston challenged every Soldier to spread the Army story when they return to the states. He is concerned that not everyone knows the truth and only believes the Army to be what they see on television.

On another subject, Preston spent addressed Transformation while visiting 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment at Patrol Base Murray.

Just as the infantrymen are building up Patrol Base Murray into a stronghold, Preston said the Army is currently adjusting itself to build itself up into a stronger fighting force.

Since 2004, starting with 3rd Infantry Division, the Army has been working to create more brigade combat teams.

In January 2004, Preston said, there were only 33 BCTs in the Army. Through shifting forces, retention and recruitment, the Army is currently fielding 40 BCTs of the desired 48.

Forty-two should be ready by the end of next year, he added.

Until the BCTs are ready though, Preston said Soldiers will continue to deploy for 15-months.

However, Preston said the deployment schedule will bring stability and predictability to the Army's operation tempo.

"(Secretary of the Army) Gates announced active duty units deployed to the CENTCOM (Central Command) area would not be deployed longer than 15 months and those units will have a minimum of 12 months dwell time back at home station," he said.

Although some situations, such as another attack somewhere in the world, could change this plan, Preston said there is no truth to the rumors that some units would be extended beyond 15 months to 18 months.

"The message I want to leave to you is the Secretary of Defense and our leadership have announced that Soldiers would not be deployed for longer than 15 months. And that is exactly what that means," he said.

In the meantime, to help ease the strain longer deployments might put on Soldiers, the Army is instituting programs to help Soldiers' morale, such as increasing the length of time Soldiers receive for environmental and morale leave.