The Many Tours Of Duty: Afghanistan's Enduring Conflict

The length of military tours in Afghanistan has varied over time, depending on the needs of the military and the specific branch of service involved. In 2014, British Army tours in Afghanistan were typically 8 months long, although some personnel might have deployed for up to 9 months. This was an extension from the usual 6-month tours. In 2012, the US Army shortened the length of tours in Afghanistan from a year to 9 months for combat troops. This change was implemented to ease the strain on soldiers, many of whom had been doing three, four, or even five lengthy tours in the war zone, separated from their families for extended periods.

US military personnel in Afghanistan peaked at 170,000 during the Bush administration

The number of US troops in Afghanistan peaked at 100,000 in August 2010 during the Obama administration. This was part of a surge in troops ordered by President Obama in December 2009, which brought the number of US troops in Afghanistan to over 67,000.

The number of US troops in Afghanistan had risen steadily since the war began in 2001, when President George W. Bush announced that US and British troops had begun striking Afghanistan for harbouring al-Qaeda terrorists. In November 2001, there were 1,300 American troops in the country, which grew to 2,500 in December 2001.

The number of US troops in Afghanistan continued to increase under the Bush administration, reaching 7,200 in March 2002, 9,700 in December 2002, 13,100 in December 2003, and 20,300 in April 2004.

In 2008, Congress established a Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) to conduct oversight of the American war effort in Afghanistan. In 2014, SIGAR was tasked with conducting deep-dive, original research into the war to look at its successes, failures, and lessons learned.

In 2011, President Obama announced a withdrawal plan, bringing home 10,000 troops by the end of the year, and continuing at a steady pace until handing over security responsibilities to the Afghans by 2014. The number of US troops in Afghanistan decreased to 77,000 in September 2012, 46,000 in December 2013, and 34,000 in March 2014.

In May 2014, Obama announced his plan to pull out virtually all US troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2016. Troop levels were cut in half by December 2014, down to 16,1000, and Obama declared their combat mission over. However, troops continued to train and advise Afghan forces.

In March 2015, there were about 9,800 US troops in Afghanistan, on track for a nearly total withdrawal in 2016. However, in October 2015, Obama announced that the situation was too fragile for the American military to leave, and he planned to keep the current force of about 9,800 in place through most of 2016. In July 2016, Obama again changed the plan, announcing that instead of dropping the US troop level to 5,500, he would keep it at about 8,400 through the end of his term on January 20, 2017.

In August 2017, President Trump warned against a hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying that conditions on the ground, not arbitrary timetables, would guide the strategy. It was confirmed that additional troops would be deployed, bringing the number of US troops in Afghanistan to about 14,000.

In September 2019, the US envoy negotiating with the Taliban announced that under a deal reached "in principle" with the insurgent group, the first 5,000 US troops would withdraw within 135 days of the agreement becoming final. However, Trump called off peace talks and cancelled secret meetings with Taliban leaders and the Afghan president in September 2019, following a Taliban attack that killed a US service member.

In April 2021, President Biden announced the total withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. The US military began withdrawing from the region on May 1, and Biden moved up the deadline for troop withdrawal to August 31. As US troops evacuated, the Taliban quickly regained territory, and the Afghan military collapsed. The last US troops left Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, marking the end of America's longest war.

The Obama administration announced plans to withdraw 10,000 troops by 2012-end

The Obama administration's plan to withdraw 10,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2012 was part of a broader strategy to end the United States' military engagement in the country, which began over a decade earlier in response to the September 11 attacks. This announcement came as the Pentagon was drawing down troops from both Iraq and Afghanistan, seeking to ease the strain on the military after prolonged deployments in these conflict zones.

The decision to reduce the number of troops in Afghanistan was influenced by the winding down of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and the desire to alleviate the burden on military personnel and their families. The new policy, which took effect on January 1, 2012, shortened the deployment duration for combat troops from one year to nine months. This change was welcomed by soldiers and their families, as multiple and lengthy tours had become the norm for many during the height of these conflicts.

President Obama inherited a challenging situation in Afghanistan, with the presence of US troops ramping up to over 100,000 during his first term. Despite his initial pledge to end the military's role in the country, the complexity of the conflict and the resilience of the Taliban led to a reassessment of the withdrawal strategy. The plan evolved to include a residual force of less than 10,000 troops to support the Afghan government and counter-terrorism operations, demonstrating the administration's recognition of the need for a more gradual approach.

While the Obama administration worked towards ending the US combat role in Afghanistan, the dynamic nature of the conflict often required adjustments to their timeline and troop levels. The evolving situation on the ground, including the Taliban's resilience and the Afghan forces' ongoing development, influenced the decision to delay the complete withdrawal beyond the initial 2016 deadline.

In 2014, British Army tours in Afghanistan were extended to eight months

Previously, British troops in Afghanistan served six-month tours, with each brigade deploying on a six-monthly cycle. The extension to eight months, and in some cases, nine months, was expected to impact 2,200 to 3,500 military personnel. This change in tour length was designed to minimise the total number of service personnel deployed to Afghanistan over the next 18 months. By removing the need to train and deploy an extra brigade, the UK could focus on transitioning to a training, advisory, and assistance role for the Afghan forces.

The decision to extend the tours was based on military advice and the evolving nature of the UK's role in Afghanistan. By 2014, the Afghan National Security Forces were leading 80% of all security operations, covering nearly 90% of the Afghan population. Extending the tours allowed British troops to maintain continuity in critical posts, retain and bolster Afghan confidence, and support the Afghan forces during a critical transitional period. This decision was also influenced by the upcoming Afghan presidential elections in the spring of 2014, which required a stable security environment.

While the extension was recognised as necessary by military leaders, it was met with concern by Labour, veterans, and military families. There were worries about the potential toll on the mental health and well-being of those serving longer tours, with warnings of conditions such as PTSD. Additionally, the impact on families back home was highlighted as a cause for concern. Despite these worries, the decision stood, and British troops continued their commitment to supporting the Afghan forces during this pivotal period in the country's history.

Soldiers are eligible for two weeks of leave after six months of deployment

Military personnel on tours of duty are usually deployed in a combat or hostile environment. In an army, soldiers on active duty serve 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the length of their service commitment. The length of a tour of duty varies depending on the historical period, theatre, and operational requirements. During World War II, for instance, there was no official limit for an operational tour, and some pilots flew over 200 missions with only a short break. This led to the adoption of a tour system, with tour lengths ranging from 200 hours in Western Europe to 300 hours or 12 months in South East Asia.

In the context of Afghanistan, the length of tours of duty has changed over time. Between 2013 and 2014, most UK personnel served standard six-month tours, although some personnel deployed for up to eight or nine months. Starting in January 2012, US combat troops across various branches of the military deployed for nine months instead of a year. This change was implemented to ease the strain on military personnel and their families, as many soldiers had completed three, four, or even five lengthy tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In addition to regular leave, military personnel may also be granted emergency leave, convalescent leave, and parental leave. Emergency leave is typically authorized quickly and is taken in response to a family or other emergency situation. Convalescent leave is granted for up to 30 days after illness, injury, or childbirth to facilitate the member's return to full duty. Expanded parental leave provides 12 weeks of non-chargeable leave for eligible service members following the birth, adoption, or placement of a child for adoption or long-term foster care.

Veterans with multiple tours of duty often struggle with civilian life

The transition from military to civilian life can be challenging for veterans, especially those with multiple tours of duty. While some veterans adjust easily, others struggle with various aspects of re-entry into civilian life. This struggle is more pronounced among veterans who have served multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan and other conflict zones.

Veterans with multiple combat deployments face unique challenges when returning to civilian life. The number of veterans with multiple tours of combat duty is the largest in modern American history, with more than 90,000 soldiers and Marines, many of whom have deployed four or more times. These veterans often find it difficult to adjust to civilian life, and their risk of suicide increases after returning home, contrary to the general trend in the military.

There are several reasons why veterans with multiple tours of duty struggle with civilian life. Firstly, they have acquired skills and knowledge through military training that may not translate easily into civilian jobs. While they possess valuable abilities and experiences, the lack of civilian certifications or degrees can lead to underemployment. Additionally, they face challenges in translating their military skills and duties into civilian terms when applying for jobs, as employers may not fully recognize the value of their military background and soft skills.

Another challenge for veterans with multiple deployments is managing their physical and mental health. Many veterans have to juggle multiple medical appointments with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), which can be stressful and impact their employment. They may also experience transition stress, which is often mistaken for PTSD. This stress arises from the significant cultural and situational changes they encounter when transitioning out of the military, causing anxiety, depression, and relational conflicts.

The military provides a strong sense of purpose, camaraderie, and well-defined roles, which can be difficult to replicate in civilian life. Veterans may struggle to find careers that offer the same sense of camaraderie and purpose. The competitive and self-promoting nature of the civilian sector can be challenging for veterans who are accustomed to self-sacrifice and working for the betterment of their team.

Furthermore, veterans with multiple tours of duty have to unlearn certain survival skills that were essential in combat, such as constant vigilance, snap decision-making, and intolerance for carelessness. These instincts can lead to impulsive behavior and difficulty adapting to the slower pace of civilian life. The lack of structure and clear chain of command outside the military can also be disorienting for veterans, requiring them to create their own routines and adjust to a less direct form of communication.

Lastly, veterans with multiple deployments may face challenges in reconnecting with their families and re-establishing their roles within the family unit. Both veterans and their families have to adjust to new routines and dynamics, which can be a difficult process.

Overall, veterans with multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan and other conflict zones often encounter significant challenges when transitioning to civilian life. These challenges include difficulties in finding fulfilling careers, managing physical and mental health, adjusting to a different pace and structure, and reconnecting with families. It is important for society to recognize these hardships and provide support to help veterans successfully reintegrate into civilian lifestyles.

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