Earlier this month, ThinkProgress reported that members of an Army unit would be sent back to Iraq after just nine months at home — three months fewer than the full 12 months of “dwell time” that Defense Secretary Gates has promised all troops. Today, Stars and Stripes reports that the Army has still not agreed to give the soldiers their full time at home. “As far as I know, the company will leave in November. No one has said anything different to us,” said Sgt. Dustin Ingle, one of the soldiers in the unit, which just returned from a 15-month tour of duty in Iraq.

Bush treats the soldiers as cannon fodder, so he keeps sending them back to Iraq till they die or get maimed.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:06 amSurrendering would solve this problem!!
May 24th, 2007 at 11:09 amNo Patrick > ending the Iraq fiasco war would save the lives of our soldiers. Keeping them there kills them.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:11 amWhat’s the current desertion rates for U.S. soldiers right now? Does anyone have any figures?
I can’t see how they wouldn’t be growing exponentially, given this sort of treatment. There is no dishonor in disobeying a dishonorable master.
Of course, I wouldn’t expect our corporate media to carry any news of this…far too dangerous to let the average American know what’s going on…
May 24th, 2007 at 11:11 amReally, why doesn’t the media just make some stuff up about desertion!!
That will help, surrender and made up stories that is the ticket…moonbat stupidity on display yet again.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:13 amPatrick1 sez:
Surrender to who, jackass? You can’t surrender to an abstract concept any more than you can wage a ‘war’ against it.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:15 amA great example of the president supporting the troops.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:15 amTripMaster > supposedly several thousand US soldiers have deserted, but the press is told to shut-up about it. Lots of them are hiding in Canada or in Europe. There is going to be a mutiny in the military soon.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:15 amPatrick1 sez:
They already are, idiot. They’re refusing to discuss the issue at all.
A lie of omission is still a lie.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:16 amPatrick > you could enlist to replace one of the soldiers who deserted.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:17 amWhat’s the current desertion rates for U.S. soldiers right now? Does anyone have any figures?
Comment by TripMaster Monkey
Are you kidding, any deserters would probably end up at Gitmo getting tortured. I’d rather take my chances with the Iraqis.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:18 amMaybe you could name a deserter that I can replace.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:20 amPatrick > you could enlist to replace one of the soldiers who deserted.
Comment by Jay Randal — May 24, 2007 @ 11:17 am
P1 enlist? He types under his bed because he thinks the terraists are on the way to his house now.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:20 amGood idea, Jay!
P1, why don’t you sign up? You’re full of great ideas that I’m sure the generals would welcome.
Go ahead a-hole, put your ass on the line.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:21 amWell it’s 1, 2, 3, 4,
May 24th, 2007 at 11:21 amWhat the hell are we fighting for?
Well I don’t give a damn,
Next stop is EeeRan.
And the first troll who says that the troops need to be tough and live with this needs to immediately volunteer in the army, and catch the first C-5 headed east to Baghdad for an indeterminate number of tour extensions.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:21 amsupposedly several thousand US soldiers have deserted, but the press is told to shut-up about it. Lots of them are hiding in Canada or in Europe. There is going to be a mutiny in the military soon.
Comment by Jay Randal
I hope you’re right. Hopefully they can stay safely away from the President’s thugs.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:22 amPoor brainwashed soldiers. Their lives (their commanders too) are at the whim of the DUMBEST world leader EVER .
And if you survive your tours, you’ll maybe have enough money to go to college with your PTSD and amputated limbs, and if you’re really lucky, your wife hasn’t left you before you come home.
What a wonderful future. I mean, who WOULDN’T want to enlist right now?
May 24th, 2007 at 11:23 amAnd the first troll who says that the troops need to be tough and live with this needs to immediately volunteer in the army, and catch the first C-5 headed east to Baghdad for an indeterminate number of tour extensions.
Comment by Ben Dover
Cue the troll post: “During WWII . . .”
May 24th, 2007 at 11:26 amComment by Patrick1 — May 24, 2007 @ 11:20 am
Why do you need a name? You’re a big f’ing hero. Just sign your name, they’ll find a billet for you.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:27 amI would support the war in Iraq as long as nobody had to die. I’m also not in favor of wars in which troops have to deploy. MRE’s (meals ready to eat) aren’t very good, either. I won’t support an effort where our troops are subjected to food that isn’t fresh. Outpatient medical care? Don’t get me started. I can’t support an effort that is this difficult. Bring our troops home, now!
May 24th, 2007 at 11:27 amPatrick1 sez:
Agustin Aguayo
Get going, Patty. Your country needs you.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:27 amIF GOPers are so concerned about winning in Iraq, then get your butts over there or shut the hell up. College age Republicans think posting drivel on TP threads is equivalent to fighting in Iraq, but it is cowardice.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:28 amIf this SOB orders attacks on Iran we have no choice but to go to the WH and run his as* down the road.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:29 amIt should have been done long ago, when we first knew they were lying ba*tards about Iraq.
When we first knew, that at least they knew, 9-11 was coming and basically welcomed it by doing nothing.
The Democrats coming to majority through a historic election do nothing but cave to these criminals. They all must be afraid for their and their families lives. What else could it be.
There’s probably never before in history been such a just cause for the impeachment of the president and his vp.
“now, c’mon Wall Street, don’t be slow,
May 24th, 2007 at 11:29 amlet’s man this war, a-go-go…
there’s plenty good money to be made,
supplying the army with the tools of the trade….”
Well, P1’s mommy has obviously left for work, so he’s home alone, scared to death, wetting his pants, hiding under the bed, eating a whole gallon of Haagen Dazs, crying.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:30 amPatrick1 sez:
Maybe you could name a deserter that I can replace.
How about you replace one of the dead.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:31 amHe jumped out a bedroom window in Germany..or the U.S. the article is not clear. Don’t you have anyone who fled the field of battle? Like in World War II? I know the moonbats can come up with as General Patton said, “you’re just a G-Damn coward.”
May 24th, 2007 at 11:33 amIs it possible to become a conscientious objector once you have signed up to fight a war?
A soldier who becomes a conscientious objector after fighting breaks out is a lot like a newly elected democrat that now believes pulling the troops out of Iraq prematurely is a bad idea.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:33 am15 months in a war zone is too much , British troops only do 6 months duty. what pisses me off the most is the poor Iraqis have had 4 years none stop
May 24th, 2007 at 11:33 amComment by CaptainMantastic — May 24, 2007 @ 11:27 am
Patrick, did you change your name? You’re still stupid.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:35 am“get an ugly wife and a screwed up life in the army” (Damon Wayans, In Living Color)
no, you get no pension, no medical care, no raise in pay, no rest, nothing. and damn of the folks that want you to kill brown people for them are the ones that are keeping you in the hole?
how can any but stupid or greedy people support this nonsense? and isn’t it funny how the NEWS doesn’t report this?
May 24th, 2007 at 11:35 amComment by Patrick1 — May 24, 2007 @ 11:33 am
What…so now he’s not the right kind of deserter for you?
Your excuses are wearing thin, coward.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:36 am“you’re just a G-Damn coward.â€
Comment by Patrick1
P*ssy1 gets his “history” from the movies. Shocking? No.
“Got dumb?”
May 24th, 2007 at 11:37 amPatrick1 sez:
Maybe you could name a deserter that I can replace.
How about you replace one of the dead.
Comment by Bluedahlia
Now you got him so scared he’s crapping all over the place. PU. P1, go clean yourself up before you stink this place up even more.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:38 amLife was so much better for Iraqis under the mass graves and rape rooms.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:38 amTobey Tall. For the sake of the Iraqi’s they should pull all our troops out now. All out civil war and mass genocide, followed up with regressive state run theocracy, would be much better than another 4 years of U.S. occupation.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:38 amWe can now add “surrender” to the list of words that Patrick1 can’t define.
Right along with “victory,” “pre-emptive,” “democracy,” “winning,” “truthful,” and “strategy.”
May 24th, 2007 at 11:39 am9 months is a long time.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:40 amHey P*ssy1, bravest words come from the safest places.
Head over to Iraq and get on your high-horse and preach the good word of fighting the good fight!
Take your message STRAIGHT TO THE PEOPLE who need your words of wisdom.
Nevermind, you’re a wussy chickensh*t just like Dumbya.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:42 am#37 stick a sock in it chieft, or, if your SO CONCERNED for the Iraqi’s, join the Peace Corps, or Red Cross.
Oops, nevermind. Repukes like to have OTHER people do their jobs for them.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:44 amPatrick1,
May 24th, 2007 at 11:49 amThe list of deserters would include George Bush, Dick Cheney, Condalezza Rice, Donald Rumsfield, all members of Congress who voted for the war, all members of Congress (and their families) who chicken out from their responsibility to the American people…
They have deserted America.
Not Canadian Yet. I don’t see where we disagree. I am saying that it would be better for the Iraqi’s if the horrible U.S. lead occupation was ended. Don’t you agree?
May 24th, 2007 at 11:51 amIf we are arguing that our troops are extended, are we also arguing that we need to increase the military budget, for more soldiers to rotate in?
May 24th, 2007 at 11:53 amMilitary service is now just a job like anyother. Doesn’t the volunteer sign a contract or agreement? If these issues are not covered in such a covenant then same on the signee for not inquiring. If they are covered, why isn’t it considered a breech of contract when changed without acknowledgement?
May 24th, 2007 at 11:54 amLife was so much better for Iraqis under the mass graves and rape rooms.
Comment by Patrick1
The first accurate thing you’ve EVER posted.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:55 amCapt.,
This should be easy for you.
What’s brown and sounds like a bell?
“DUNG”.
Exactly how does increasing the budget equal more troop rotation?
WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TROOPS. Funding doesn’t solve this, but re-deployment would. Only the ill, maimed and the retarded are joining the service now.
May 24th, 2007 at 11:58 amI’m asking an honest question here. Are progressives highlighting this issue out of concern for our troops, who are working very hard for us, in Iraq? Or are progressives using this issue to help promote a politically advantageous withdrawal and surrender from Iraq?
Most troops in Iraq support the effort. I’m sure they would also appreciate your support of the effort. If we agree our troops are being stretched too thin, shouldn’t we increase our troop strentgh and promote a successful effort?
May 24th, 2007 at 12:04 pmYup, Capt.M., our troops over in Iraq are so supportive that the Army will no longer allow them to post to MySpace or to YouTube. Seems like some of them were not doing the right kind of “supporting”.
May 24th, 2007 at 12:53 pm“Not a Canadian”, my son signed up for 8 years when he accepted his Army ROTC scholarship to Norwich. He is not ill, maimed or retarded. Doesn’t mean that I am happy about this by any means. But we should keep the attacks restricted to Repugs and trolls, if that is OK with you.
May 24th, 2007 at 12:56 pmmajm,
Sorry, I have several decorated retired servicemen in my family, and a couple of friends in Iraq presently. I meant no disrepect to anyone who’s NOT ill, maimed, or retarded.
I was trying to illustrate the decrease in quality recruits due to the quagmire we know find ourselves in.
ROTC might be a fun way to play “army”, until you find yourself crouched over in the back of a Humvee in 120 degree heat.
But then again, I’m not subserviant enough to EVER join the Military.
May 24th, 2007 at 1:49 pmI’ve got scene control, and a GREAT life which doesn’t involve killing anyone - thanks to people like your son.
Morning all
As service members, we can’t just “up and quit” because we don’t like the area. (my opinion) We signed a commitment, knowing that there was a war going on, and we would probably be going over there. Also, some of us have a career to think of, as well as families to feed and children to raise. Both of which are impossible to do from jail, or canada.
Also, I can chose to not follow any orders I deem as illegal or immoral in relation to a SPECIFIC order. For instance “Sarge, you have recieved orders to Iraq”, although disheartening, is not an illegal order. (no matter what your opinion is, it’s not) However, “Sarge, you need to fire into that crowd, because we feel like they MIGHT be a threat” is an illegal order, and I would chose not to follow that order. Would i get in trouble, maybe, but after the investigation, I would be cleared.
I’m not saying, I’m just saying…
May 24th, 2007 at 1:49 pmNot Canadian Yet. Your family must be very proud of your dependence on others to ensure your rights. Don’t worry, even if you move to Canada, we will be here to ensure that someone won’t force the women in your life to cover their faces and give up their right to vote. You obviously won’t (or can’t).
May 24th, 2007 at 2:23 pmNot Canadian, I confess to having no freaking idea why my son has chosen this path, but I am incredibly proud that he has. The reduction in “quality” recruits worries me, as these will be the soldiers that he will be leading when he graduates in 2010. The Army is also losing lots of Captains and Majors who aren’t re-upping when their reenlistment date rolls around. The Army anticipates that they are going to have to waive some of the time conditions for promotion in the coming years. So, my son will be leading lower-quality soldiers while reporting to less-qualified officers. And this has me more worried than anything else.
I think this is what they mean when they say that Bush is breaking the Army.
May 24th, 2007 at 2:36 pmmikeandjeffsmom. I wish the best for you and your son. I believe you son’s choice is brave and honorable. I can imagine your son is not joining for money, or because he has no other options, or because he is not intelligent enough for a civilian job.
Do you mean tell me, however, that although you don’t understand your son’s decision; you are confident that he is an exception of “quality” in a sea of “lower quality soldiers” reporting to “less qualified officers”?
To be honest it sounds selectively naive and smacks of the same condescension that you accuse others.
May 24th, 2007 at 3:00 pmI did not mean to suggest that he would be a quality exception. I am just saying that the officers he reports to in his first year or so may not have the experience that normally goes with the rank. Good people do sometimes get promoted faster than they should. I am sure that you have seen this happen in industry. There are things we all learn with experience, and I am sure that that is true in the Army too.
So, I am sorry if I sounded like I was dissing any of his future officers. They all deserve our respect.
May 24th, 2007 at 3:39 pmmikeandjeffsmom. No need. I sincerely wish the best for your family. Although we want it by different means, we all want our troops home (sooner the better, but the right way). I appreciate that you view is different than mine.
May 24th, 2007 at 4:05 pm