Army Deployments To Get Shorter

The Secretary of the Army announced Friday that future unit operational deployments will change from 12 months to nine months.

Secretary John McHugh said the change will be fully implemented by April 2012.

This new policy will not impact personnel or units currently deployed or deploying prior to January 1, 2012, according to the Army. Also, the deployment period for high demand and low density units will remain one year.

The Army said it hopes reducing the deployment length will improve soldier and family quality of life while continuing to meet operational requirements.