AP article

Army relies on 'stop loss'

October 19, 2007

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Army will continue to rely on an unpopular program that forces some soldiers to stay past retirement or re-enlistment dates, despite pressure from Defense Secretary Robert Gates to reduce and eventually end the policy.

Lt. Gen. Michael Rochelle, deputy chief of staff for personnel, said Thursday that the number of soldiers kept on duty has increased in recent months as a result of increased troop levels in Iraq this year.

The number of those being kept on beyond their commitment through the ''stop loss'' program is about 9,000 now, compared with about 7,000 before the buildup began in late January, he said.

''We're going to have to rely, unfortunately ... on stop loss,'' Rochelle said. ''Until the demand comes down a bit, we can't do it without it.''

Rochelle called Army recruiting "challenging."

AP
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