'Stop loss' still in effect only in Air Force;
decision awaited on Navy, Marines
By Sandra Jontz. Washington
bureau
WASHINGTON — So far, the U.S. Air Force remains the only service to invoke the
"stop-loss" program that keeps servicemembers on active duty status beyond their
set dates of separation or retirement.
For the next three weeks, any airman who planned to separate or retire after Oct. 1 is
being called on to remain on active duty. Air Force officials will review the plan Oct. 22
to determine if the field should be narrowed to essential personnel, an Air Force
spokeswoman has said.
Officials do not know how many airmen will be affected by the policy.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld authorized the stop-loss order Sept. 19, and has left
the decision of whether to apply the program up to each of the service secretaries.
The additional servicemembers might be needed to fight the nation’s war against
terrorism after terrorists attacked the United States on Sept. 11.
Navy officials have forwarded a plan to Navy Secretary Gordon England outlining a call
for retaining about 10,500 sailors in 11 critical areas, such as medical and force
protection.
As of Friday afternoon, England had not made a decision, a Navy spokesman said.
The Marine Corps has made no decision, and analysts still were still studying Friday
whether retiring or separating servicemembers would be needed to augment the force.
Army officials have decided not to enact the policy, though it is still an option
officials are considering, an Army spokesman said.
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