Dwell Time.

This is coolbert:

General Peter Schoomaker is retiring. For the second time now. Is being interviewed on National Public Radio about his career and also about current events.

General Schoomaker, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, was brought out of retirement to become the # 1 soldier in the U.S. Army. A man being called upon to serve in such a fashion after initially retiring is generally unheard of.

General Schoomaker IS held in high esteem by his peers.

Has performed the function of Chief of Staff in an admirable fashion, and during a time of war too.

The General speaks of "dwell time". That period of time that a career soldier is allowed to rest ["stateside"] after a tour of combat BEFORE once again being committed to battle. "Dwell time" is a serious subject with regard to Iraq and the all-volunteer Army. Today, more Army career men are married with families than was the case in previous wars. By repeatedly sending a man into combat over and over without regard to his marriage or family life is to risk having strained relationships between husband and wife, father and children, or both. A situation that could lead to highly trained and experienced soldiers for the sake of his marriage and family calling it quits and not re-enlisting.

THIS IS A PROBLEM, RIGHT NOW!! ACTIVE DUTY UNITS ARE BEING SENT REPEATEDLY TO IRAQ, WITHOUT ADEQUATE "DWELL TIME" BEING A CONSIDERATION!!

[so far, there HAS NOT BEEN AN RAPID EXODUS of career personnel leaving the military for lack of adequate "dwell time". If the war continues much longer, you may see this happen!!]

I believe that during the Vietnam War, the concept of "dwell time" did also exist and was regulation. A career man, having served a one year tour of combat in Vietnam, could NOT be sent back for ANOTHER tour until 30 months had elapsed.

General Schoomaker is also asked for his opinion about Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld. The General is judicious enough NOT to answer the question. He says, "no comment" several times!! HE CANNOT COMMENT. THIS WOULD PERHAPS INVOLVE A VIOLATION OF UCMJ [Uniform Code of Military Justice].

[Article 88 and Article 135 of UCMJ would be most pertinent here!!]

Good luck General Schoomaker!

coolbert.