The navy is doing it exactly the way you think.... Guys decide to stay in for shore duty. They think they are going to recharge their batteries and spend quality time with the family. But some end up spending 6 - 12 months of their 2 year shore duty in Afghanistan or Iraq. I personally know 10 JO's that have done IA tours.
To quote my friend Jim, who is a LT, "You think we're stupid in the navy....We got nothing on the Army. They do things in the most $%^#$% up way. I'm stupider for having been associated with those a$$clowns."
I can speak from first hand experience. I'm spending 15 mo of my 2 yr shore duty on IA. Yeah...shore duty doesn't mean much anymore, although its supposed to get better as they mainstream IAs billets into the detailing process. I rolled the dice with shore duty thinking I might avoid the IA, but...here I am in the sandbox playing Army. Now, I understood the need for IAs at the beginning of the war, especially in areas that we, the Navy, could really contribute in like electronic warfare, but this is ridiculous. The Army spent 5 mos training me to do an Army job for 9 mo at which point I will go back to the Navy bitter and with useless skills for my job in the Navy and the Army has nothing to gain, except in the short term. I know the Navy is losing good folks because of this. I know many JOs who have decided to get out instead of rolling the dice. I know women who were planning on trying to start a family while on shore duty who decided to get out rather than risk the IA and either missing the career timing to have kids or screwing some guy who would have to take the IA because the woman was pregnant.
I also speak from experience in saying that it has really upped my appreciation of the Navy. The Army has us beat in sheer stupidity and the way they treat their soldiers. Although I can definitely say this IA has been alot of a$$pain, I will admit it has been rewarding and gives me another perspective on the War and what we are accomplishing here. I don't want to get political, I have my doubts about what we are doing over here, but I also see the good things we are accomplishing.
LT Jeff Ammon...God...I wish I had gotten to know him better. Of all places and coincidences, I only met him briefly in the 'Stan while deployed, despite both of us having served in Bremerton for several years and having several close friends in common. He was a prior and had his 20 in. He extended his tour here because he really believed in what he was doing. By all accounts, he was a great guy and a great nuke and will be sorely missed. I am better from having known him.