Army Limits Nat'l Guards' Time Overseas

Army reservists and members of the National Guard may not have to leave their families for extended periods of time, according to Sunday's New York Times.

The newspaper reports that the Army has decided to limit overseas deployments of National Guard and Reserve units in peacekeeping and other military operations to a maximum of six months. The decision comes as Pentagon officials are increasingly concerned about a backlash to its growing reliance on such units.

According to the report, the new limit is the first significant step by the Army to recognize the increased burden on its citizen-soldiers. That burden threatens to undermine the willingness to join or stay in the Guard or Reserve.