Debt-ridden US troops barred from serving overseas

THOUSANDS of US troops are being barred from overseas duty because they are so deep in debt they are considered security risks, according to a review of military records.

The number of troops held back has climbed dramatically in the past few years, the Associated Press review said.

And while they appear to represent a very small percentage of all US military personnel, the increase is occurring at a time when the armed forces are stretched thin by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.