First the Bush administration implemented a “stop-loss” program that forced military personnel from leaving active duty, even after they’ve fulfilled their obligations to the military. The back-door draft continued shortly thereafter when the administration recalled troops who have already retired and received honorable discharges, putting these men and women back into service, primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan, involuntarily.
Now we hear that troops are effectively being threatened to re-enlist after their requirements to the military have been met or face being shipped off to Iraq.
Soldiers from a Fort Carson combat unit say they have been issued an ultimatum — re-enlist for three more years or be transferred to other units expected to deploy to Iraq.
Hundreds of soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team were presented with that message and a re-enlistment form in a series of assemblies last Thursday, said two soldiers who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Troops were told that they should sign a form and re-enlist through the end of 2007. Those who refused were told that they would be transferred out of the 3rd Brigade and into a division that will serve in Iraq.
“They said if you refuse to re-enlist with the 3rd Brigade, we’ll send you down to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, which is going to Iraq for a year, and you can stay with them, or we’ll send you to Korea, or to Fort Riley (in Kansas) where they’re going to Iraq,” said one of the soldiers, a sergeant.
The second soldier, an enlisted man who was interviewed separately, essentially echoed that view.
“They told us if we don’t re-enlist, then we’d have to be reassigned. And where we’re most needed is in units that are going back to Iraq in the next couple of months. So if you think you’re getting out, you’re not,” he said.
How our government feels justified in threatening and intimidating our troops is beyond my understanding.