Deployed Army retirees downsized, disappointed

The U.S. Army is ending a program that has allowed military retirees to volunteer for missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, disappointing many former service members who have embraced a second chance to serve their country.

Lt. Col. George Wright, 55, an Army spokesman — himself a program participant who signed up to return to service in 2007 after nine years of retirement — said the program is being terminated because the Army had to reduce personnel to reach a congressionally mandated limit on the total number of soldiers.

“The end of the program is driven by end-strength concerns,” he said, adding that the Army was engaged in a constant process of managing its size by “fine-tuning” its enlistment and retention figures.

“There’s a balance between the methods we use. We try to use the tools that will impact Army capabilities the least,” he said, noting that most of those who had signed up for the program were not serving on the front lines.

The decision has caused consternation among many of those who have returned to the military.

“I’m disappointed,” said Master Sgt. Donna Thomas, 51. “I would really like to stay on. … I still feel I have a lot of good years” to offer the Army.

“Serving my country, no matter where, is my passion,” she said.

Sgt. Thomas, who is currently serving with the Multi-National Security Transition Command in Iraq, told The Washington Times that 11 months after retiring in 2006 following 22 years of active service, she decided to re-enlist while working as a civilian at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Her inspiration came from wounded soldiers she met.

“They had such great attitudes. They all wanted to come back,” she said. “It made me feel that I needed to renew my own commitment.”

“I thought I would have the opportunity to go back to Afghanistan for my next tour. That is why I am so saddened that the program has been [ended],” she said.

“I understand that this is a new Army,” she added, referring to efforts by the service to improve its counterinsurgency and other asymmetric capabilities. “But I feel they could still profit from the experience we have.”

Since the program began after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, 2,851 veterans with 20 years or more experience - mostly between the ages of 45 and 55 - have passed through the program, according to Army figures. Nearly 750 have served in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Army figures show three participants have been wounded and one — Maj. Steven Hutchison, 60, of Scottsdale, Ariz. — has been killed.

Many in the program share Sgt. Thomas’ disappointment that their service is no longer being sought.

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