U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, Democrat from Virginia, is introducing an amendment (S-2001) to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 that ensures military members who deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan, will have the same time at home before they are redeployed.

It also states that no unit or member of a Reserve component, including the National Guard, could be redeployed to Iraq or Afghanistan within three years of their previous deployment.

I think these are sensible ideas for the situation today. Deployments are tough on families. Having an idea when you may be re-deployed will help the military member and their families.

When I first heard about it, I was concerned that it might not take into consideration vital national security threats that pop up. It does. It even has provisions for volunteers who do not want to wait the required time to re-deploy.

Webb is no stranger to the military. He graduated from the Naval Academy. He’s a Marine and served in Vietnam. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts. He served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs under President Reagan.

He’s the type of person that I want serving on military, defense and veterans committees in the Senate and House – no matter what their party affiliation. People like Webb have worn the uniform and better understand what being a veteran means.

Everyone should support this amendment.