Bobby Muller’s Statement On President Bush’s 12 Month Tour Announcement
“There is no longer any doubt that the consistent churning of our military for extended periods of time is having a devastating effect on the health of our Soldiers.
An announcement from President Bush that we will not return to 12-month tours until after the summer will do nothing to relieve the burden of those currently deployed for 15 months - some of whom will not return home until Summer 2009.
Almost half of the active-duty Army’s frontline units are currently deployed for 15 months. Three of these units are on their fourth tour. Almost all have served at least twice.
This is the group of Soldiers that has borne an immense, disproportionate burden from our wars. This is the group of Soldiers that desperately needs a break - now.
It is also distressing that, between now and the end of the President’s term in office, the overwhelming majority of frontline units scheduled to deploy are from the Army National Guard; they will not be affected by this announcement. It is standard for these units, many of which are on their second tour, to deploy for 12 months.
Every day, Veterans For America hears from Soldiers and family members reeling from the effects of 15-month tours. The Department of Defense has also confirmed this dispiriting effect.
In short, this is a hollow announcement, it has no immediate effect. It is nothing more than political posturing at the expense of our troops.
Our soldiers are unraveling, and they need their Commander In Chief to provide immediate relief.