Army considers full ‘dwell time’ for unit

BAUMHOLDER, Germany — The Army is still trying to figure out if one company from the 1st Armored Division will have to return to Iraq without getting its full 12 months of “dwell time.”

Earlier this month, soldiers from Company A of the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment were told that they would deploy to Iraq after having just nine months at home.

The Baumholder-based unit — part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team — was among the 35,000 troops slated for a potential 15-month deployment in November, the Department of Defense announced May 7.

But while the rest of the 2nd BCT returned from Iraq last November, Company A soldiers didn’t get home until February.

Defense officials were prompted to look into why the unit was not getting its full dwell time after a reader from Baumholder informed Stars and Stripes that the unit would be getting less than a full year at home.

U.S. Army Europe officials then asked the 2nd BCT to not deploy Company A with the rest of the brigade until the unit gets its full 12 months per Army policy, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said on May 11.

However, Hilde Patton, spokeswoman for V Corps, could not say on Tuesday whether soldiers with Company A would be deployed in November.

“This is in the analyzing stage,” she said.

At least one soldier interviewed this week said he hasn’t heard a thing about their dwell time being restored.

“As far as I know, the company will leave in November. No one has said anything different to us,” said Sgt. Dustin Ingle, who was among the Company A soldiers who returned in February.

Ingle, who will be leaving the company Saturday for the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Ky., departs for Iraq even sooner than his friends from Company A.

“I’ll be deployed earlier. October,” said Ingle, in a matter-of-fact tone. “My wife is pissed.”

USAREUR officials also were unable to provide a response to the uncertainty surrounding Company A soldiers.

Patton, speaking on behalf of V Corps, could not provide a clear answer.

The “whole chain of command,” from the 1st Armored Division to USAREUR to European Command, is reviewing the matter, she said.

“They’re going to look and see how many people would be affected by this,” Patton said.

“Sometimes there isn’t a simple answer. There is going to be a solution at some point, but not now.”

V Corps took over command and control of the 2nd BCT, 1st AD last week so that division headquarters can prepare for its on deployment this summer.

Ingle, 23, said he understands the Army is in a tough position.

But he still wishes he could get his full 12 months.

“I’d like to see a birthday at home,” Ingle said.