The stresses of six years at war are causing U.S. Army personnel to desert their posts at the highest rate since 1980. And the number of Army deserters this year is an 80% increase since the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003.

The figures represent a steady increase since the Iraq invasion, and show a 42% jump since last year.

Many soldiers have had to endure repeated tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, with many tours being longer than they were originally supposed to be. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey and other military leaders have admitted that the demands of combat have stretched the Army to near the breaking point.