Stop Loss Prevents Md. Soldier From Coming Home

FORT DIX, N.J. -- There seems to be no way out for a local national guardsman. His service with the military was about to expire when Uncle Sam decided to send him to Kuwait.

WBAL-TV I-Team reporter Barry Simms exposed the controversial policy that landed the part-time soldier in the full-time war on terror.

Sgt. 1st Class Cameron Miles is currently training at Fort Dix, N.J.

Miles: "It's not about Sgt. 1st Class Miles. It's about 235 soldiers who will be in harms way to do a mission to support this country."

In Baltimore, Miles has raised awareness and fought for reform as the community outreach director for the Maryland Juvenile Justice Coalition. He has worked to put children in community programs rather than juvenile detention.

Now this advocate is advocating for himself. Miles joined the Maryland National Guard 16 years ago. His enlistment was scheduled to end in five days.

Miles: "The National Guard, as far as I understood it and many others, is for the states. They protect the states, riots and fires."

For months, he's been trying to get out, but because of an Army policy known as stop loss, he's not getting out. Instead, the National Guard said his unit is being deployed to Kuwait.

Miles: "But when you sign up, you can get caught up and we got caught up."

The stop-loss policy was instituted in 2002. If Congress declares a national emergency, the Department of Defense can keep soldiers in service an additional 18 months. The whole unit is mobilized and the guard said that it is vital.

Major Charles Kohler, Maryland National Guard: "It's important for a commander to know the soldiers he is going to be working with and it's a safety issue. Those soldiers you don't want to be rotated in or out. You get a certain cohesion."

Stop loss was used in the first Gulf War, which ended in just a few months. Washington attorney James Klimaski has sued the government over the policy.

Klimaski: "This time it's unending. It's the war on terror. What is it? It could last forever. Terrorism has existed since the beginning of time."

He lost in district court. Other soldiers also have sued and lost.

Simms reported as Miles remains in New Jersey preparing for duty overseas, some are still working to try to keep him in the U.S. and bring him back to Baltimore.

Jann Jackson, the executive director for Advocates for Children and Youth, believes there must be a way out for Miles.

Jackson: "We know there's a war happening here in our own back yard and every day there are too many young men of color who feel there's no hope."

But a response from the state's military department said the federal policy is clear. It "restricts the Maryland National Guard from releasing Mr. Miles from his commitment to serve."

Andrew Barrett, 15, said without Miles in his corner, he'd probably be in trouble with the law.

Barrett: "Thanks for everything he done for us. Changing our life around. I appreciate it."

Miles has a message for the kids.

Miles: "Always remember do your best. Remember the things Mr. Miles taught you. He loves you and wants you to stay out of trouble and failure is not an option."

It's a message Miles hopes the young men will continue to carry with them whether he stays or goes.

Miles is part of an aviation maintenance unit. He has received some additional support from congressional and church leaders.

While some critics call the stop loss policy a back-door draft, an Army spokesman said that's not true.