Soldiers sue Pentagon over extended Iraq tours

It is the only known court challenge by active-duty soldiers against the Defence Department's so-called stop-loss policy, said attorney Staughton Lynd.

Seven of the soldiers in the lawsuit have asked to remain anonymous, but one of them, David Qualls, said at a news conference in Washington that the court challenge is over "a question of fairness."

"I enlisted in July 2003. I completed and served that one year," Qualls said. "I feel it is time to let me go back to my wife."

Qualls, 35, signed a "Try One" contract on July 7, 2003, which allows a soldier to serve for one year before deciding whether to extend service. Qualls says no one told him about the stop-loss policy.

Pentagon paperwork said Qualls was on the hook until 2031, when Qualls will be over 60 years old, according to court papers.