Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: aladin who wrote (53236)	7/7/2004 5:08:13 PM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793801

I think the big issue is the number of deployable troops vs the number of troops... The Army has only 499,000 active duty Army troops, backed up by 700,000 National Guard and Army reservists. That's a third less than when the U.S. fought its last big war in the Persian Gulf, in 1991. John, I could not agree more. And the cuts were deeper than you think. The Army, Navy and USAF were cut 36-39% by Clinton after that 90/91 call-up. The USMC was cut something less...around 7% as I recall. The real point is that to get back that 36-39% will require an increase of over 50% from today's levels. I do not believe we can do that with the current rate of voluntary enlistments. In fact, I think it is becoming increasingly clear that we cannot even sustain the current (greatly reduced) force with volunteers. That is imo why retirements have been involuntarily curtailed. Involuntary enlistment extensions are being forced, involuntary second Reserve and National Guard deployments to combat zones are being scheduled, and IRR folks and some recently retired soldiers are being involuntarily recalled. If history proves correct (as it has so far) the problem has just started. I expect it to worsen unless somebody else attacks us again soon. There is just no way that we can continue fight the WOT for the 20-30 years projected and manage our troop end strength the way we are. Right now we are managing by crisis and exception. That works for short term problems. It will not sustain us long-term. I do not know why the Pentagon has their collective heads in the sand over this. I am glad to see Congress taking the lead and forcing the issues surrounding troop strength and deployments. uw