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File: 082696_d50028_079.txt
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      represents one of the largest deployments of U.S. fighting forces since World War II.
      When the deployment is completed, the Army will have 68 % of its forces overseas
      including 34 % in the Persian Gulf area. President Bush also authorized the mobilization
      of three large combat tank units from the Army National Guard, each containing about
      4,000 Guard personnel. The Guard units will undergo additional training before any
      deployment overseas according to Pentagon officials. (Washington Post, November 9,
      p. A34.)

         Marine Corps implements a "stop loss" provision which allows it to suspend laws and
      policies that normally allow officers and enlisted members to leave after the end of active
      service obligations.   Up to 12,000 Marines, regular and reserve, will be affected.
      Provision applies to those in and around the Arabian peninsula who possess critical skills
      in short supply in the Marine Corps. (Navy Times, November 26, p. 4.)

November 9
         Friday --- Secretary of Defense Cheney says that there are no longer any plans to
      rotate troops through the Persian Gulf area. Troops that are currently there or who are
      scheduled to deploy in the next several months will be there for the duration of the crisis.
      (New York Times, November 10, p. 1.)

      -- Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense authorizes the Navy to increase its original
      ceiling of 6,300 Selected Naval Reservists calIed to active duty to 10,000 in order to
      allow the Navy increased flexibility in support of Desert Shield augmentation. (Naval
      Reservist News, December, p. 1.)

         U.N. General Assembly rejects a move by Iraq to characterize the U.S. military
      buildup in the Gulf as a threat to peace. (Washin~ton Post, November 10, p. 24.)

November 10
      ---Saturday--- Secretary of State Baker's weeklong talks in the Middle East with major
      U.S. partners in the coalition against Iraq have demonstrated some major differences over
      when and if a military option should be carried out against Iraq. Support remains solid
      as long as military action against Iraq is not imminent. There also appears to be solid
      support for President Bush's decision to send 150,000 additional troops to the Persian
      Gulf. (New York Times, November 12, p. Al.)

         OP-ED article entitled "Now, to Find Out What the Reserves Can Really Do"
      explores role of reservists in Desert Shield. The article states this is the first real test of
      reservists' roles under the Pentagon's new Total Force concept. (New York Times,
      November 11, Section 4, p. 4.)

         Specialist Stephanie Atkinson, allegedly the first reservist to refuse to report to active
      duty in connection with Operation Desert Shield, is discharged under "other than


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