When American soldiers get off duty in Iraq, the men usually return to their quarters, the women to theirs. But Staff Sgt. Marvin Frazier gets to go back to a small trailer with two pushed-together single beds that he shares with his wife.
By BRADLEY BROOKS and RUSS BYNUM, Associated Press Writers 2 minutes ago
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080401/ap_on_re_us/combat_marriages
In a historic but little-noticed change in policy, the Army is allowing scores of husband-and-wife soldiers to live and sleep together in the war zone — a move aimed at preserving marriages, boosting morale and perhaps bolstering re-enlistment rates at a time when the military is struggling to fill its ranks five years into the fighting.
"It makes a lot of things easier," said Frazier, 33, a helicopter maintenance supervisor in the 3rd Infantry Division. "It really adds a lot of stress, being separated. Now you can sit face-to-face and try to work out things and comfort each other."
Long-standing Army rules barred soldiers of the opposite sex from sharing sleeping quarters in war zones. Even married troops lived only in all-male or all-female quarters and had no private living space.
But in May 2006, Army commanders in Iraq, with little fanfare, decided that it is in the military's interest to promote wedded bliss. In other words: What God has joined together, let no manual put asunder.
"It's better for the soldiers, which means overall it's better for the Army," said Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Thornton of the 3rd Infantry.
Military analysts said this is the first war in which the Army even gave the idea any serious consideration — a reflection not only of the large number of couples sent to war this time, but also of the way the fighting has dragged on and strained marriages with repeated 12- and 15-month tours of duty.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
MARRIED TROOPS CAN LIVE TOGETHER IN IRAQ
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3 comments:
while I somewhat applaud what the Army is trying to do there will be lots of unintended consequences. As a deployed commander I dealt with this problem first hand but could rely on the "rules" to prohibit it and to avoid the inevitable "what ifs". For example, "What if" personnel want to get married during their deployment and move in together? This disrupts the living arrangements already made. What constitutes marriage? Will Chaplains be marry soldiers during deployments only to have them split when they return. Don't laugh it is entirely plausible with you people. "What if" two soldiers are married by the Chaplain and one forgot to tell everyone that he was already married. Oops! Who is there to verify these things. The US Army is now complicent in a federal crime. It goes on and on and on. The Army will likely regret this decision. I feel for those who are absent from their spouses and children. I have been down that road BUT that's the job. Period. Married couples are a distraction on the battlefield. Note that all of the examples of "so called" successful deployed married couples are always working in combat support or combat service support areas such as hospitals etc. Dealing with married spouses and thier "issues" which include fights, jealousy and yes.....affairs is something commanders don't need. Does this courtesy also extend to commanders? How does it look to my soldiers away from their spouses when mine lives in my trailer. Forget it. Suck it up and resist the temptation to take the easy and popular path.
while I somewhat applaud what the Army is trying to do there will be lots of unintended consequences. As a deployed commander I dealt with this problem first hand but could rely on the "rules" to prohibit it and to avoid the inevitable "what ifs". For example, "What if" personnel want to get married during their deployment and move in together? This disrupts the living arrangements already made. What constitutes marriage? Will Chaplains be marry soldiers during deployments only to have them split when they return. Don't laugh it is entirely plausible with you people. "What if" two soldiers are married by the Chaplain and one forgot to tell everyone that he was already married. Oops! Who is there to verify these things. The US Army is now complicent in a federal crime. It goes on and on and on. The Army will likely regret this decision. I feel for those who are absent from their spouses and children. I have been down that road BUT that's the job. Period. Married couples are a distraction on the battlefield. Note that all of the examples of "so called" successful deployed married couples are always working in combat support or combat service support areas such as hospitals etc. Dealing with married spouses and thier "issues" which include fights, jealousy and yes.....affairs is something commanders don't need. Does this courtesy also extend to commanders? How does it look to my soldiers away from their spouses when mine lives in my trailer. Forget it. Suck it up and resist the temptation to take the easy and popular path.
As a former GI myself, I have to toally agree with you. As I wrote to some of my friends, this order gives a whole new meaning to "unit cohesion." LOL.
Thanks for your input.
Bill
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