Fears Grow As Military Thins

[jhain]

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_military_120604,00.html?ESRC=eb.nl

Chicago Tribune
December 5, 2004

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon's announcement last week that it will increase the number of U.S. troops in Iraq to 150,000 to provide more security for the Jan. 30 national election highlights a growing concern that America's armed services are dangerously overextended and possibly nearing a breaking point.

With nearly all of the Army's 10 divisions serving in Iraq, preparing for deployment there or refitting from a combat tour in that country, there are few forces available to deal with a new major threat or emergency, military experts say.

As Gen. Peter Schoomaker, the Army chief of staff, said at a congressional hearing last month, "I'm committed to providing the troops that are requested (for Iraq). But I can't promise more than I've got." <more>


-there is much discontent reported in this issue of 'The Early brief'....

[Florida_Geek]

1. Kerry wanted to add 40,000 more troops to the Army,

bush wanted to do it on the Cheap.... And who did the Army voters vote for Bush... Go figure.

[cybildisobedience]

2. do we even know how the Army voters, voted?

In 2000, all we heard about were the precious military ballots.
This time around, when so many service men and women are expressing concerns about Bush's leadership, we hear nary a peep.
For all we know, military voters went overwhelmingly Kerry.

[Dhalgren]

4. I remember hearing on ABC News,

a few days after the election, that the military went 70% for Bush. I have no way of knowing whether that figure is correct or not, but it is what was reported.

[laheina]

3. Outstanding article.

It really cuts through a lot of the B.S. surrounding the issue, especially if one ignores the quote from the Heritage Foundation. ;)

[PROGRESSIVE1]

5. .........

[SOS]

6. Puzzling

Maybe someone who knows more about the military can answer a nagging question I've had....
The US has 70,000 full-time, active duty soldiers stationed in Germany.
Why can't these soldiers be deployed in Iraq, rather than every Guardsman/woman under the age of 70?
Anybody know?

[blackhorse]

13. It is a mixed bag

... of reasons. The combat arms battalions in Germany have been rotating into and out of Iraq. I'm fairly sure some of them are in Iraq at the moment.

Other troop types are used in Europe to support the theater logistical and administrative operations. They could potentially be used for simple security missions like guard duty in Iraq, but they likely won't go as entire units. Probably, many of them will be individually transferred to units in Iraq as the war goes on. Combat-wise, their worth is limited to basic defense and security missions as they aren't trained for close combat, etc. Also, some of the logistical, medical, and other support for Iraq is done with forces in Europe, so shipping out too many of them will ultimately hurt the forces in Iraq.

Not sure about the Guard, but army reserve units are in Europe as well, probably filling slots vacated by regular soldiers sent to Iraq.

Finally, I'm sure the Pentagon wants to maintain some troop strength in Europe just to keep showing the flag.

The biggest problem in terms of manpower is that this is an infantry war, and the U.S. Army has progressively reduced the rifle strength of its infantry units both in terms of men assigned to units and the number of infantry units in the army. Mechanized infantry units, who make up many of the infantry battalions in Iraq, don't have much rifle strength anymore -- the army expected them to be able to fight in tandem with their fighting vehicles, which were supposed to make up the missing rifle strength with cannon firepower. This doctrine probably works okay in open country, but in the tight alleys that make up traditional middle eastern neighborhoods ... hmm.

BH

[maxrandb]

14. What's even more puzzling is

Why is there a shortage at all? I mean 61 MILLION people voted for this mis-administration (if we believe the polls). I'm not a mathematician, but I know that not all 61 MILLION of these people are already in the military.

- Where is the rush to join this "awesome" war?

- Where is the 25-45 year old Bush supporters with able body, if not able mind?

- Why not send in the National Guard from every red state?

You know, I just don't get it. I thought on November 3rd, people would be lined up around the block three times outside your local recruiting station. Hell they were lined up for nine hours in some places on Nov 2nd.

Where are all these people that just couldn't wait to get their war on. I would happily supply all the Purple Heart Bandages that they need.

[Bouncy Ball]

7. I have a question

what is the NG presence like in the US right now? Numbers? Because in case of a natural disaster or some other reason we might need them, it occurs to me we really are spread pretty thin HERE with NG troops.

[Ian David]

9. Gay Vets Sue For Reinstatement

While Bushler is forcing people to re-enlist AGAINST their will, he still won't allow these Pepe to re-enlist VOLUNTARILY.

Gay Vets Sue For Reinstatement
by Michael J. Meade 365Gay.com Boston Bureau

Posted: December 6, 2004 11:01 am ET

(Boston, Massachusetts) Twelve lesbian and gay veterans Monday morning filed suit in Federal Court in Boston seeking reinstatement in the Armed Forces.

All 12 had been discharged under the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban on gays in the military. Each served during the current war on terror. Their case could eventually reach the United States Supreme Court.

The veterans are represented by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. They all served honorably in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, C. Dixon Osburn, Executive Director of SLDN noted.

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/12/120604militaryCourt.htm

----
Personally, I think these people are idiots for wanting to be in the army. 65,000 gay and lesbian soldiers fighting for a country that says they are destroying the foundation of society. That's like black slaves fighting for The South in The Civil War.

Why serve a country that hates you? And dumber still, why fight for the right to do so?

Let Jesusland find 65,000 soldiers from their own damn families.

[alfredo]

12. It might be the only job they can find that doesn't entail

asking if you want fries with that.

[maxsolomon]

8. what exactly happens when a military "breaks"?

absurd. i'd like to see it, though.

i thought we were going to be able to fight 2 separate wars at once. anyone ever hear about THAT brilliant idea anymore?

[Inland]

11. Two and one half wars at once, actually

It was the doctrine that was used to beat Clinton over the head as letting the military become "unprepared."

And no, haven't heard it lately.

[clem_c_rock]

10. ANYONE FEEL A DRAFT AROUND HERE?