Pentagon Sources: Surge requires 2nd tours of duty for Reserves, Guard

Washington -- Top U.S. military officials, expecting President Bush to order an increase in the size of the force in Iraq, have concluded that such a buildup would require them to reverse Pentagon policy and send the Army's National Guard and reserve units on lengthy second tours in Iraq, defense officials said Monday.

Under Pentagon policy, guard and reserve units have been limited to 24 months of mobilization for the Iraq war. Under that rule, most reserve units already sent to Iraq are ineligible to return.

But the Joint Chiefs of Staff have concluded that a significant buildup would require the Pentagon to overturn the policy and send Guard and reserve units for additional year-long tours.

Such an order likely would be controversial among state governors, who share authority over the Guard, and could heighten concerns in Congress over the war and Bush's plans for a troop increase.

In addition, National Guard leaders also are skeptical of calls for additional combat tours, which they fear could hurt recruiting and retention.

"If you have to sustain a surge long term, you have to use the Guard and reserve," said a defense official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the president has not unveiled his strategy shift.

Bush, set to announce his new policy Wednesday, met Monday with about a dozen Republican senators to discuss the plan. After the meeting, Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., said Bush appeared to be planning a surge of 20,000 troops.

Any boost in combat forces would require some increase in reserve support units, such as engineering or intelligence teams. Because of training requirements, National Guard infantry forces are unlikely to be part of the initial surge. However, they would be needed later in the year to sustain a higher level of forces.

Read the rest at the LA Times

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