Congresswoman Seeks Re-Enlistment Probe

[Rose Siding]

DENVER -- A Colorado congresswoman called Monday for an investigation into allegations that Iraqi war veterans near the end of their duty were given a choice between re-enlisting or being sent back to Iraq.

Democratic Rep. Diana Degette, in a letter to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., asked him to look into whether the "White House or civilian Pentagon officials are pressuring the military to use coercive tactics to get soldiers to re-enlist in order to maintain the force levels necessary to fight the war in Iraq and war on terror."

DeGette, at a news conference in Denver, cited reports in two Denver newspapers and calls she has received from several soldiers at Fort Carson, near Colorado Springs.

"They can't meet re-enlistment goals, so they're putting this hammer over their head, which is just wrong," DeGette said. "In the long term, the integrity of our military is going to suffer."

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-re-enlistments-iraq,0,3164618.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[RevCheesehead]

1. Thank God SOMEONE is willing to look into this!

What do we call it? Extortion? Blackmail?

[lovuian]

2. It shows How DESPERATE the ARMY IS

and these poor people who signed up

boy they sure didn't see the fine print

[pfitz59]

3. Don't expect "do nothing" Duncan to act....

He used to be my Congress-critter. Absolute repuke scum....

[Barrett808]

4. Army Denies Using Threats Against Troops

FORT CARSON, Colo. - Army commanders denied allegations Wednesday that soldiers have been threatened with deployment to Iraq if they do not re-enlist.

"It's just not being done," Lt. Col. David Johnson said. "We are a professional army. We want soldiers who want to be in the Army," he said.

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., has demanded an investigation into claims that Iraqi war veterans near the end of their enlistments had been given a choice between re-enlisting or being sent back to Iraq.

Fort Carson, with about 14,000 soldiers, including the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, claims the highest re-enlistment rate in the nation.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040929/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/re_enlistments_iraq&cid=542&ncid=1480

[Supersedeas]

5. expect DeGette to be charged with disloyalty and insubordination

[struggle4progress]

6. kick

:kick: