The Associated Press reports that a lawsuit challenging the Army's so-called "stop loss" policy was dismissed Monday.
Spc. David Qualls and seven other soldiers serving in Iraq, or en route to Iraq, asked the judge to order the Army to release them from service immediately. Qualls signed up for a one-year stint in the Arkansas National Guard in July 2003 but was later told he would remain on active duty in Iraq until 2005:
U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth for the District of Columbia said the enlistment contract does notify those who sign up that the government could extend their terms of service.
[. . .]
The enlistments of an estimated 7,000 active-duty soldiers have been extended under the policy, which the Army says is needed to provide experienced soldiers for battle. As many as 40,000 reserve soldiers could be ordered to stay longer.
The dismissal of the law suit shouldn't upset Spc. Qualls, who has volunteered for another six-year stint in the National Guard.
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