WASHINGTON, April 11 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says tours of duty for members of the U.S. Army will be extended from 12 months to 15 months effective immediately.
Gates said the change involves active-duty soldiers already in Iraq and those expected to be deployed in coming months, but would not cover National Guard troops, CNN reported.
The extension will maintain the current U.S. force in Iraq while erasing uncertainty about deployment time among various units.
"A clear policy that applies to all is greatly appreciated by soldiers," retired Army Gen. William Nash told ABC News. "It is the unknown that is more of a problem."
ABC News said the plan guarantees soldiers at least 12 months at home between deployments.
The deployment change will not change the length of deployment for the 25,000 Marines who serve seven-month tours in the war zone.
