Longer Dwell Time Brings Challenges

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Longer Dwell Time Brings Challenges
August 11, 2010
Army News Service|by Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden

WASHINGTON -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stressed the need for strong garrison leadership today, underscoring the effects longer periods at home between deployments may have on troops and their families in the future.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen spoke to Soldiers and airmen at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., today. By October, more than 30,000 troops will be "at home" there for the first time since 2003.

Soldiers throughout the Army also will soon enjoy a slower deployment tempo, Mullen noted, as major units are projected to have twice as long at home as deployed by the end of 2012. About 70 percent of those units are expected to have a 2-to-1 "dwell time" ratio by the end of 2011, he added.

"That's based off the projections we see right now, so that is a huge change," Mullen said. "This is a big change, and if you are a leader, leading when things are changing is the most difficult kind of leadership, because it's less predictable."

The chairman explained that although more time at home is long overdue, a slower-paced military always must be ready for the unpredictable. Leaders must ensure troops and their families are cared for, he said, stressing the importance of garrison leadership.