Soldier fails to halt 'stop-loss' rule [View All]

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon Army National Guardsman must report for duty after failing in his challenge of a military program that extends his enlistment.

In a federal lawsuit, Sgt. Emiliano Santiago argued he was improperly called to active duty after his formal eight-year contract with the Oregon Guard had ended. The case centered on the Department of Defense's "stop-loss" policy, which has generated lots of debate in the past year as thousands of soldiers were barred from leaving Iraq and Afghanistan even though their enlistment terms had been fulfilled.

U.S. District Judge Owen M. Panner on Tuesday denied Santiago's motion for a preliminary injunction, less than a week before the soldier is due to report for active duty in Fort Sill, Okla.

Panner said he thought the military would endure more harm than Santiago if he ruled in the soldier's favor, essentially agreeing with the government's argument that thousands of military members who are subject to stop-loss orders might file similar legal challenges.

more: http://oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1104308340126830.xml&storylist=orlocal