Army Cites Burdens Posed by Rotation

[kskiska]

Huge Movement of Troops Set for 2004

Army leaders warned yesterday that plans to replace U.S. forces in Iraq early next year with a new wave of troops will present enormous logistical burdens, posing a challenge unlike any military authorities have confronted in recent decades.

"To my knowledge, the Army has never had a rotation like this in the past," Les Brownlee, the Army's acting secretary, told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

On top of dealing with tens of thousands of returning troops, Army authorities are bracing for months of preparing nearly as many soldiers slated to go next, many of them reservists who have greater requirements for training, equipment, housing and medical care.

(snip)

Pressed on whether the Army needs to grow in size, Schoomaker, who became chief of staff in August, said he is still looking at options for improving efficiency within the fiscal 2004 ceiling of 480,000 active-duty troops. He disclosed that the Army has crept beyond the congressionally authorized limit by 20,000, as a result of "stop-loss" orders barring soldiers already in or going to Iraq or Afghanistan from leaving military service once their contracts expire.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63484-2003Nov19.html

[pfitz59]

1. Don't forget desertions, psych discharges, wife beating.......

The soldiers rolling outta Iraq will NOT be reupping!