WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 2003 — “We are entering the most challenging period for our Army since World War II,’’ Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, Army chief of staff, said in a message to soldiers whose tour of duty in the U.S. Central Command theater have been extended from five to 60 days.
     About 1,600 of the 130,000 soldiers currently deployed will be affected by the extension, Army officials announced Jan. 15.
     “As we deploy and redeploy nearly one quarter of a million soldiers over the next four months, we all will be required to make sacrifices to ensure that we safely and successfully accomplish the mission.
      “Soldiers contributions to Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and other expeditionary operations have been critical to our nation successes and to keeping the American people safe.
      “We are Warriors, and that entails a special ethos: I will always place the mission first, I will never accept defeat, I will never quit, and I will never leave a fallen comrade.
      “When our nation calls upon us we have to be motivated by things that come from deep in our souls. It is called service for a reason. It is about giving more than you get. It is about duty. It is about sacrificing for the good of the whole.
     “We are committed to not having you stay in country one day longer than necessary. Our Army has worked hard to reduce the number of units and Soldiers required to make this sacrifice. What you are doing is critical to mission success and we are grateful for your continued commitment to our nation’s security and remain dedicated to each and every Soldier.
     “You and your families need to know that we have done everything possible in order not to extend you. For the few units being extended, there are no other alternatives.
     “Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for our great nation and may God bless you, your families, the Army and the United States.”