August 2,
2008: The U.S. Army, with nearly 60
percent of its troops married, has increased the time parents can delay being
sent overseas after having a baby (by birth or adoption.) Previously it was
four months, but now it is six. This is particularly good news for the eight
percent of troops who are single parents. In many respects, the army is just
catching up. The navy allows a 12 month delay (or "deferment" in milspeak),
while the marines already allow six months. The air force still only allows
four months, but then their overseas deployments are only four months at a
time.
While the
increased army deferments means that some soldiers will be going back overseas
sooner than they otherwise would, most of the parents are career NCOs and
officers. These men and women are the key leadership that holds the army
together, and the two extra months of deferred deployment makes a big
difference for them and their families.
