War stress mounting in the Marine Corps.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: Washington Pulse - Brief Article

Protracted combat operations in Iraq also are taking a toll on the Marine Corps. The deployment of two Marine expeditionary units--each comprising about 2,400 troops--that was scheduled for October now is being moved up to July or August, said Lt. Gen. Robert Magnus, deputy commandant for programs and resources. There are no plans to extend seven-month tours in Iraq to 12 months, but that means many Marines will end up serving two seven-month tours in a two-year period, while Army soldiers serve 12 months out of 24. Marine aviation units are seeing the most wear...