US combat troops in Iraq battle to defend savings

The impact of the financial crisis on the savings and pensions of US troops in Iraq is difficult to estimate. But it has spared neither the young recruits nor the veterans nearing retirement.

"We've been encouraging young recruits to invest their money in that (Thrift) programme. When you arrive in Kuwait, before coming to Iraq, it is actually one of the first papers you are given," said Grabski.