The new policy applies the 179-day employment limit equally to active and reserve component units. The previous Army policy for unit employments only limited active component units to the 179-day period. Implementation of the new policy will be conducted as rapidly as operational requirements permit, and must be fully implemented by Oct. 1, 2000. Excluded from this 179-day employment period, are routine activities related to reserve component mobilization. According to Patrick T. Henry, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, the intent of the new policy is to reduce the impact of extended deployments on soldiers, their families, and employers of reserve component soldiers.
People are our most important asset.
This policy will add predictability and stability, and it supports our vision for 'The Army,' a single, totally integrated force. Although the policy may, over time, increase the number of units required to deploy to support operational requirements, Army officials cited the need to reduce the impact longer employments have on soldier well being, recruiting, and retention. The new policy applies only to missions in support of an OOTW or SSC, and will not affect other deployments that take soldiers away from home, such as military exercises or professional education.