Perspective: Longer Duty Leaves Forces Disappointed but Stoic

JUWAYBA, Iraq, April 12 — Sgt. Jonas Dailey was one of the last in his infantry company to learn Thursday morning that it would be staying an extra three months in Iraq.

He was at the company’s outpost here preparing for a foot patrol when the conversation turned to the Pentagon’s decision to extend the standard 12-month deployment of all American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Really? Who said?” Sergeant Dailey asked. His eyes were obscured by ballistic glasses, but his voice was edgy.

“Gates, the secretary of defense,” another soldier responded.

Sergeant Dailey, 26, shrugged and turned away. “We’re already here,” he said. “What can you do?”

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