American Idol Phil Stacey faces deployment to Iraq

Iraq could be Phil Stacey’s next destination. The recent American Idol castoff is an active-duty Petty Officer 3rd Class in the U.S. Navy.

Stacey is based in Jacksonville, Florida and was granted a temporary assignment at the Los Angeles recruiting district to participate on the show. A Navy spokesperson says the military is talking to Stacey about his next assignment and whether he can be a part of the American Idol Summer Tour.

The Los Angeles Times said if Stacey tours with the American Idol concert, he might be forced to take leave or be released from active duty. Or the Navy could consider the summer tour as part of a recruiting assignment.

Phil Stacey is the lead singer of the Navy rock band Pride. Navy spokesman, Bill Dougherty, told the Times since Stacey is a member of the Navy Band Southeast, he probably won’t be deployed.

Another Navy spokesman, Commander Jeff Davis, said Phil Stacey is “tremendously valuable” and showed off skills he learned in the Navy.

New Republic magazine reported the USO has a hard time finding entertainers to perform for the troops in Iraq. Now that the military has its own “celebrity” entertainer, the Navy could send Stacey to Iraq to perform for the troops.

Navy officials have not confirmed whether Phil Stacey will face deployment.