- FORTH WORTH, Texas
(UPI) -- The Defense Department has proposed using U.S. Internal Revenue
Service data to track down reservists with which they have lost contact.
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- The measure, which department officials say has been
vetted by its lawyers, would allow the Pentagon to access the addresses
for tens of thousands of people who still face active-duty recall, the
Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
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- Congress and President Bush would have to approve an
amendment to the tax code in order legalize the practice.
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- Lt. Col. Bob Stone, a spokesman for reserve affairs at
the Pentagon, said the proposal is unrelated to the military's current
troop shortage and has been in development for several years. "While
the military today is comprised of an all-volunteer force, every individual
who volunteers for service in the armed forces voluntarily accepts an eight-year
military service obligation," Stone said.
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- Troops are obligated to keep the military informed with
updated contact information, but 34 percent of former Army soldiers cannot
be tracked.
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- Part or all of nine of the Army's 10 active-duty divisions
are operating in Iraq and Afghanistan; 167,000 reserves and National Guard
troops are also on active duty.
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- Copyright 2004 United Press International http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040518-011213-5792r.htm
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