Report: Ousted 'American Idol' finalist Phil Stacey could go to Iraq

"American Idol" castoff and sailor Phil Stacey, one of the season's final six contestants, may see duty in Iraq.

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U.S. Navy officials won't talk about Stacey's future orders, and nor will Pentagon officials, The Los Angeles Times reports.

While he competed on "Idol," Stacey was assigned to the Los Angeles recruiting district on a temporary basis.

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A Navy spokesman says the service is talking with the star about his next assignment, including whether he can be part of the finalists' summer tour.

The Times reports Bill Dougherty, a Navy spokesman in Jacksonville, Fla., where Stacey is based, says members of the Navy Band Southeast like Stacey don't usually deploy overseas. Stacey is lead singer for the Navy rock band, Pride.

Navy spokesman Cmdr. Jeff Davis says Stacey is "tremendously valuable." Davis says Stacey showed off skills he learned in the Navy.

The New Republic reported the USO struggles to find celebrities to entertain troops. With Stacey, says the Times, "the military has a singing star it can order to perform anywhere."