Maybe mr fighting mad jim needs a refresher. My Dad, a Marine, deployed in 1942 with the 3DMARDIV and did not return until 1945 after being seriously wounded on IWO. He fought in Guadacanal, Bouganville, Guam and Iwo. The old model was we go in and stay until you win, get killed or wounded. I know it is a new DoD, I too spent 6 years in the Marines, but this is nonsense. The old rotational model was based on a 4 rifle company battalion. This enabled a company to stand down while the Battalion continued to fight. We now have a three company battalion and rotate them in and out of country every six months. It would be easier for all concerned to flag the Regiments in Iraq and Afghanistan and rotate individuals through the standing units. Lost less costly this way also.
I nominate you to head DoD.
:o)