Pay for Lost Dwell-Time Hits Snag

Defense Secretary Robert Gates revealed a plan in January to pay troops when their expected time between deployments (dwell time) is cut short. Details were to have been released by now, but the plan ran into resistance from some senior military officials. They registered concern that the government would by paying troops for what they already have contracted to do. Thus, if troops were paid for the inconvenience of shortened dwell times, that might set a precedent to pay for other inconveniences. As originally proposed, troops whose deployment times are extended or who are redeployed earlier than expected, would receive up to $1,000 for each month’s loss of dwell time. Some form of Gate’s plan is still expected to be rounded out, according to officials.