Leadership: July 29, 2002

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Canada has decided that the 830 troops of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (now getting ready to leave Afghanistan) should get a more gradual homecoming than troops sent to previous conflicts. Studies have shown that to get the troops home and on full-time leave quickly is too much of a shock, and leaves the troops and their families dealing with the idea that they "should be having fun" but are in fact trying to get over their stressful experience. The troops will be sent to Guam for a few days, where they will play sports and engage in light military duties such as marching practice. During this time, social workers and chaplains flown out to meet the troops will encourage them to talk about their experiences and slowly calm down from their stress. The soldiers will then be sent to their home station, where they will be given a weekend home leave pass before returning to their garrison for two weeks of half-day work. Then they can begin two or more weeks of full-time leave with their families. --Stephen V Cole