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I don't have much sympathy for troops who have their tours extended. They knew what they were in for when they joined up..

No. Military service in combat is a shock to almost everyone - you don't know what this is about until you have experienced it. Also, it is not just combat tours which are being extended, enlistment contracts are being involuntarily extended. And, to the active/inactive reservists - those who have completed their expected active service, being called back and sent to Iraq is NOT what they signed up for. This Commander-in-Chief has over committed our military to a situation which does not look as though it will be over soon.

I recently spoke to a young Marine getting ready for his second tour in Iraq. He stated that there is a $27K, tax free reenlistment bonus for the infantry and NO ONE IS TAKING IT!

"No. Military service in combat is a shock to almost everyone - you don't know what this is about until you have experienced it."

I can appreciate that, but when you sign up for the military, it isn't like accepting any other job. You can't quit, the military owns you. Anyone who doesn't understand that going into the military shouldn't have signed up. If they did, then they made a terrible mistake.

I agree with your other points. I am pretty sure that there will be troops in Iraq 10 years from now. How they get them to enlist will be interesting. Perhaps instant US citizenship for foreign enlistees and their families?

"He stated that there is a $27K, tax free reenlistment bonus for the infantry and NO ONE IS TAKING IT!"

BS.
My son's squad leader and 4 other unit NCOs re-upped in Afghanistan last month for varying tax-free sums. Iraq deployment in 9/05 will be their 3rd deployment since Sept. 11th.

Your other points duly noted.