Military

DATE=1/6/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON/TROOPS (L-O)

NUMBER=2-311586

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

INTRO: The U-S Army is offering cash bonuses to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan who agree to re-enlist while at the same time barring some others from leaving the military. More from V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida at the Pentagon.

TEXT: Some 35-hundred U-S Army soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan who were planning to retire or otherwise leave the military are having their duty tours extended involuntarily. In addition, a similar number of soldiers scheduled to transfer out of the combat region are having their tours extended as well.

These so-called "Stop Loss/Stop Movement" orders affect only a small portion of active duty military personnel. But some critics say the move reflects the difficulties the Army is having to meet its global commitments.

The military's top officer, General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledges U-S forces are being worked hard.

But speaking at a Pentagon news briefing, General Myers says fighting terrorism is critical.

/// MYERS ACT ///

We are a nation at war. We've got a large part of our force over there, doing very important work in two countries in a region that has previously and still is host to terrorist organizations. This is very important for our national security. It's very important for international security.

/// END ACT ///

In addition to the Stop Loss/Stop Movement orders, the Army is making available some 63 million dollars to pay soldiers bonuses of up to 10-thousand dollars each to re-enlist. Officials describe the bonuses as a common management tool to keep troops in uniform.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says there are no clear signs at present that the military is facing difficulties in keeping veteran troops or recruiting new ones.

But he tells reporters the bonus program as well as the Stop Loss orders are intended to ward off potential problems.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

What we're trying to do is manage the force now so that we don't have a fall off in recruitment or retention a year from now and then have a gap where we have to scramble to try to rectify that.

/// END ACT ///

Both Mr. Rumsfeld and General Myers made clear in response to questions that they see no need for a revival of the military draft, last used during the Vietnam war. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/PT/KL