Stop-loss has been used a number of times in the last few presidencies to my recollection. I was in Korea during Gulf War I, and stop-loss was in effect then for soldiers in the Gulf and in Korea.
Stop loss by specialty was used in Bosnia and Kosovo and also in the last few years up until now in Iraq and Afghanistan.
My guess is that it's used so often and so frequently because it's a legitimate authority. After all....Bosnia/Kosovo was absolutely not a national emergency by any stretch of the imagination.
I'd suggest we look at the Congressional authorization of Sep 18, 2001. I'm guessing there's more than enough ammunition there to keep anyone in service for an extended period of time.
Stop-loss used to be called "the duration plus six months".
This guy needs to suck it up and drive on. When you raise your right hand and do solemnly swear, your @ss belongs to Uncle Sam. Remember what US Army stands for? Uncle Sam Ain't Released Me Yet.
I was caught up in stop-loss in Korea in GW 1 too. I landed up doing two years there, at Camp Hovey. I liked it.