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: KyrosL who wrote (86446)	11/16/2004 9:04:07 AM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793793

I am surprised that Bush has still not restored a meaningful fraction of the Clinton cuts in the army after 9/11, even though he started two simultaneous land wars that apparently will last for at least a couple more years. Consistent increases in military active duty strength began 4 months after GWB took office (June 2001). The increases have been substantial. Though spread across all services, it is the equivalent of three combat divisions. At the end of GWB's first month of command, Feb 2001, total DOD active duty strength was 1,374,000. As of two months ago, that has increased by 58,000 to 1,432,000. These figures do not include Reserve and National Guard active duty augmentation. And the figures do not reflect structural changes that reduced admin types and increased our fighting units...a process that is still going on. A 47-year old that left active duty in 1977 being called back and sent to Iraq? I believe that was just a computer or clerical error. MSM loves stories like that...anything to make us look bad. Is there any word from your sources that anybody is thinking of bringing back the draft? The draft mechanism is in place and available on short notice. GWB ruled out any quick draft reinstatement during the election process. Additional increases in our military end strength are being planned for. Recruiting Command has met their increasing goals for some 38 or 39 consecutive months. We have a good supply of recruits in the pipeline right now. We are OK at the moment. In the past, I have predicted that, after year three of the war, recruiting will become much more difficult. I based that on our past experience. I see the draft being reinstated when recruiting goals are not met for several months, we are attacked again, or the war broadens overseas. I stand by that prediction. uw