December 30, 2003

• Army Stops Many Soldiers From Quitting
  Orders Extend Enlistments to Curtail Troop Shortages

  
  

  By Lee Hockstader
  Washington Post Staff Writer
  

  
  

  According to their contracts, expectations and desires, all three soldiers should have been civilians by now. On their Army paychecks, the expiration date of their military service is now listed sometime after 2030 -- the payroll computer's way of saying, "Who knows?"

  
  

  The three are among thousands of soldiers forbidden to leave military service under the Army's "stop-loss" orders ... 

  
  

  The Army alone has blocked the possible retirements and departures of more than 40,000 soldiers.

  
  

  By prohibiting soldiers and officers from leaving the service at retirement or the expiration of their contracts, military leaders have breached the Army's manpower limit of 480,000 troops, a ceiling set by Congress.

  
  

   

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