Possible Tour Extensions for 15,000 Troops

For 15,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, their tour of duty could be extended. 

WASHINGTON(AP) -- The Pentagon is considering a plan to extend the tours of duty forup to 15,000 U.S. troops serving in Iraq, a defense official said Monday

The idea is among options being considered in response toa request in the last couple of weeks by Gen. David Petraeus, U.S. commander inIraq, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the idea hasnot been approved.

Because Petraeus believes the troop increase PresidentBush announced in January has produced some momentum in fighting violence inIraq, Petraeus wants to maintain troops at that level past the summer, theofficial said

Defense officials are looking at the idea of a maximum120-day extension for five active duty brigades that would otherwise come homein the coming months - four ground units and one aviation combat brigadetotaling roughly 15,000 troops, the official said. The plan would have to beapproved by Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

I have the feeling Gates already has his pen in the readyposition. This new information is only making the war situation look bleaker bythe day. The extensions will join the ranks of  InjuredSoldiers Being Sent Back to Iraq, troops spending less time at home betweentours in Iraq, the deployment of more National Guardsmen, and Army Reservists.As the Iraqi people grow less fond of the U.S. being there, the rest of the worldshying away from us and the majority of the American people feel we shouldn't bethere...this news of tour extensions doesn't look good for the home team and itsplan(s).

Comments

[George]

This new information is only making the war situation look bleaker by the day, the extensions will join the ranks of Injured Soldiers Being Sent Back to Iraq, Troops spending less time at home between tours in Iraq, The deployment of more national Guardsmen, and Army Reservists. As the Iraqi people grow less fond of the U.S. being there, the rest of the world shying away from us and the majority of the American people feel we shouldn't be there.....this news of tour extensions doesn't look good for the home team and it's plan(s)

Not to be a jerk but please watch grammar and punctuation:
1. missing period to end the paragraph.
2. capital letters after commas.
3. commas instead of periods = run on sentences.
4. it's (meaning it is) should not have an apostrophe here.
5. the "....." is very informal, and it should only have 3 dots if you're going to do it.

[Tony]

I didn't think you were a jerk at all for your constructive criticism. I changed what you pointed out (there may still be some errors). I am sure my punctuation will be an issue in the future again, and  knowing this I bookmarked How to Use English Punctuation Correctly a few days ago. Punctuation never was one of my stronger points. 

I appreciate you pointing the mistakes out, and feel free to email me at aravella@optonline  (or comment) if you should find any mistakes in the future.

TR