U.S. Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan Make History With Length of Service

2 years ago

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American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have served in combat longer than almost any U.S. soldiers before them, according to military historians.

Army records show that as many as 13,000 soldiers have spent three to four cumulative years in combat in the two countries, USA Today reported. About 500 service members have spent more than four years in combat.

In contrast, the vast majority of soldiers in Vietnam -- the longest American war -- served single, year-long deployments, with only small numbers signing up for multiple tours.

When President Obama's surge of 30,000 more troops is completed at the end of the year, the war in Afghanistan will be the nation's longest.

The long deployments are taking their toll on the troops, according to USA Today:

Suicides are at record levels. The divorce rate among enlisted soldiers has steadily increased during the war years. Rates of mental health and prescription drug abuse are on the rise.

With a growing number of injured or wounded soldiers, painkillers are now the most abused drug in the Army. One in four GIs admit to illicitly using narcotic medication during a 12-month period, according to a 2008 Pentagon health survey.

"My grandfather's generation is always called the 'greatest generation,' " Army Capt. Jason Adler told the paper in Afghanistan. "I disagree. It's these men here who go to war three or four times and continue to do what's asked of them, when others refuse."

Filed Under: Iraq, Afghanistan

Tagged: Afghanistan war, AfghanistanWar, Daily Guidance, DailyGuidance, Iraq war, IraqWar, military

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