Debate on Iraq Doesn't Hurt Morale, Leaders Say

...they both said it debate over President Bush's new plan for Iraq will not undercut troop morale ...

According to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Congressional debate over President Bush's new plan for Iraq will not undercut troop morale. The two testified before the Armed Services Committee in the House, which will debate the issue next week.

NPR - All Things Considered, February 7, 2007
NPR : Debate on Iraq Doesn't Hurt Morale, Leaders Say

(my note; well geesh, it's only four years later and about time or past time to be 'having healthy debate/dialogue' about Iraq invasion/occupation without it having to mean it is hurting troop morale! About time the military leaders stated clearly the troops can handle the truth - they are far from shrinking violets, after all)

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21,000 more troops means longer tours, extensions, Natl Guard troops deploy again

Washington one of the states that will be sending in troops as part of the 21,000 surge (translation = acceleration of war in Middle East).

excerpt from AP article at yahoo

Affected will be units based in Minnesota, Kansas, Georgia and Washington.

According to the military official, who provided no dates,

_The 1st Brigade, 34th Infantry Division, National Guard Unit based in Minnesota, will stay longer than planned in Iraq;

_The 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kansas, will deploy to Iraq earlier than planned;

_The 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, based at Fort Lewis, Wash., will deploy early;

• The 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart, Ga., will deploy early;

• And the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Benning, Ga., will deploy early.

excerpt from AP article yahoo news;

Some units will have less time at home for rest and retraining between tours than their commanders would like. And the faster pace of deployments could force the Pentagon to call on National Guard and Reserve units more frequently — possibly to remobilize some that already have served in Iraq.

read more AP yahoo news Jan 10, 2007

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Defense Secretary Gates to urge boosting military by 92,000 - temporary surge? Not likely

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said today it is unclear how long the "temporary" addition of U.S. troops to Iraq will last, and he announced both a 92,000-service-member increase in the permanent size of the U.S. military and a reshuffling of deployment rules for the National Guard and reserves in order to accommodate the ongoing conflict.

read more at Washington Post, Jan 11, 2007

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