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Involuntary Foreign Service Tour Extension Affects More Than 2800 Soldiers in Korea

Release #10-20030224

Feb 24, 2003

YONGSAN, REPUBLIC OF KOREA -- Effective immediately, more than 2800 soldiers and warrant officers in the 8th U.S. Army will not move on normal assignment instructions from Korea if their departure dates range from Mar. 1, 2003 to May 31, 2003.

The soldiers and warrant officers affected are involuntarily extended for the 90-day period due to emerging contingencies. Commissioned officers serving in Korea are not exempt, and may be extended if necessary. However, soldiers who are scheduled to retire or complete their enlistment term within these dates will not be affected.

"This limited Involuntary Foreign Service Tour Extension is targeted to extend personnel who are specifically required to sustain the "Fight Tonight" readiness of Eighth Army units -- a non-negotiable requirement," said Lt. Gen. Charles C. Campbell, commanding general, 8th U.S. Army.

Soldiers impacted by IFSTE who volunteer to extend their tour for nine months (12 months from their original departure date) will receive full benefits of the Overseas Tour Incentive Program (OTEIP). All requests to extend must be received by 8th PERSCOM within 30 days of the original departure date from Korea. Enlisted soldiers on one-year tours who extend for one year and enlisted soldiers with command sponsorship or joint domicile on two-year tours who extend for two years are considered to be on an "in-place consecutive overseas tour," or IPCOT, and may choose any of four options. Enlisted soldiers with command sponsorship or joint domicile on two-year tours who extend for one year may choose between option #2, #3, or #4. The options:

1. Free round-trip airplane transportation to their home of record.

2. Thirty days of non-chargeable leave.

3. Free round-trip airplane transportation to the nearest aerial port of debarkation (Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Seattle) and 15 days non-chargeable leave.

4. $2000 to be received in the first month of the extension.

"We will continue to provide information as it becomes available in order to keep our soldiers informed and mitigate inconveniences that an Involuntary Extension may cause them and their families," said Campbell.

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