Commander Bell seeks 3-year tours of duty in Korea

Burwell Bell

The general who commands all U.S. troops in South Korea said Wednesday he wants to stretch normal tours of duty from one year to three and authorize all married U.S. troops assigned there to bring their families.

Army Gen. Burwell Bell, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, also told the House Armed Services Committee that he wants to change the status of 2,000 family members now in South Korea classified as noncommand-sponsored — that is, in country without military authorization and with limited access to U.S. facilities such as health clinics — to an authorized or “accompanied” status.

“It’s time for us to transition from a one-year combat rotation to a normal three-year kind of tour,” Bell said.

Bell said that despite “highly provocative” actions by North Korea during the past year — referring to ballistic missile launches — he feels “extremely confident” in the Republic of Korea army’s capability to defend South Korea, in concert with U.S. ground, air and naval forces.

Read the rest at the Army Times

Related Link:
Army Chief of Staff Schoonmaker: 'Surge' eroding readiness; Thousands more troops needed for support

Related Link:
Bush Extends Stay for 3,200 Troops in Afghanistan

Related Link:
Unit for Iraq to be redeployed to Afghanistan

Related Link:
Pentagon abandons Guard, Reserve protections; institutes re-mobilizations up to 24 consecutive months

Related Link:
Analysis: Sending more troops could further strain Army

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

Related Link:
3,300 ordered back to Mideast; 550 only home 2 weeks

Related Link:
Selective Service to test 'draft machinery'

Related Link:
General Cody: Military needs more troops or increased use of Guard, Reserves

Related Link:
General Schoomaker: Army near breaking point, need thousands more troops plus bigger call up of reserves

Related Link:
New Iraq deployments could stretch Reserve Force

Related Link:
Army seeks to increase rotation through reassignment of specialists to 'high-demand roles'