Army chief seeks more forces, reserves

[brooklynite]

WASHINGTON - As President Bush weighs new strategies for Iraq, the Army's top general warned Thursday that his force "will break" without thousands more active duty troops and greater use of the reserves.

Noting the strain put on the force by operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and the global war on terrorism, Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker said he wants to grow his half-million-member Army beyond the 30,000 troops already added in recent years.

Though he didn't give an exact number, he said it would take significant time and commitment by the nation, noting some 6,000 to 7,000 soldiers could be added per year.

Officials also need greater authority to tap into the National Guard and Reserve, a force once set up as a strategic reserve but now needed as an integral part of the nation's deployed forces, Schoomaker told a commission studying possible changes in those two forces.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061214/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq_2

[BOSSHOG]

1. This is what happens when "conservatives" manage our military

bush and his administration of criminals and his right wing hate radio network have just about broken the Army. The General trying to meet requirements as set forth by his civilian "leadership" is reduced to begging for more manpower. Meanwhile the ribbons are fading on the vehicles of bush supporters as they grow bored by the constant need to wave the flag and they just have to go christmas shopping.

Oh yes, tap into the Guard and Reserve, just fucking brilliant idea. Maybe some ass will have the outstanding fiscal trick of using money earmarked for social security to pay for other stuff, and how bout not putting the costs of the Iraq in the budget. China is just biding its time.

[gratuitous]

2. Remember 2000?

Candidate Bush hopping around, and getting a lot of traction from his comment about all those military units that would have to report "Not ready for duty, sir" should they be called on by the Commander in Chief?

I wonder if it would be fair to revisit that criticism now that it's Bush who's been running the show for the last six years? Of course it wouldn't be fair at all, we all know that, but you'd think somebody in the allegedly liberal media would have hauled out that old clip of Bush and asked the question. They're probably all too afraid of Military Expert Sean Hannity, though, which is totally understandable.

[Kagemusha]

4. "Help is on the way." right?

He just didn't specify what kind.

[twilight_sailing]

3. We've got guys there on their 5th freaking tour of duty

[jaksavage]

5. Wars need warriors

It is no news that a warrior needs more points on his spear, if he is being told that we are staying til the job is done. * needs a bigger army, he will continue to crash around breaking everything he touches until someone slaps him down. His childhood repeats because he is broken. (Twin sister died)

We need to tell the military that the spending spree is over, come home
And NASA can stop working on martian landings too while I am at it.
dream on.

[jefferson_dem]

6. Top general: Army 'will break' without more troops

Top general: Army 'will break' without more troops

WASHINGTON (AP) -- As President Bush weighs new strategies for Iraq, the Army's top general warned Thursday that his force "will break" without thousands more active duty troops and greater use of the reserves.

Noting the strain put on the force by operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the global war on terrorism, Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker said he wants to grow his half-million-member Army beyond the 30,000 troops already added in recent years.

<SNIP>

Officials also need greater authority to tap into the National Guard and Reserve, long ago set up as a strategic reserve but now needed as an integral part of the nation's deployed forces, Schoomaker told a commission studying possible changes in those two forces.

<SNIP>

"Over the last five years, the sustained strategic demand ... is placing a strain on the Army's all-volunteer force," Schoomaker told the commission in a Capitol Hill hearing.

"At this pace ... we will break the active component" unless more reserves can be called up to help, Schoomaker said in prepared remarks.

<SNIP>

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/14/us.iraq.ap/index.html

[mike_c]

7. shit, one of my students has like 3 months left until she gets out...

...of the Army Reserve.

[Tom Joad]

8. I hope it breaks into a thousand pieces.

[NMDemDist2]

9. guess it's time to fill out that Selective Service Board application

I sent for huh?

[babylonsister]

11. I got mine, too, and have yet to fill it out. Tomorrow for sure!

:hi: NMDD6!

[lovuian]

10. I predict Airforce and navy troops going to Iraq

Its getting out of control and our troops can't keep it under control

[babylonsister]

15. Any warm bodies will suffice at this point. nt

[GreenZoneLT]

20. That's already happening

There are more than 10,000 Navy personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan (like me!)

It's called the Individual Augmentee program. Some are active-duty Navy folks on six-month deployments, others like me are Reservists on a one-year mobilization.

The Air Force is doing the same thing, and grumbling that the dang Army didn't come help them do Operations Northern and Southern Watch for 12 years.

[SpiralHawk]

12. Commander AWOL: "D'oh. But we still need to reap more oil profits."

D'oh

Commander AWOL is nothing if not consistent: he screw up everything.

[brer cat]

13. NO authority to tap the National Guard and Reserves.

It's a disgrace that our forces have been abused to fight this war of lies, but don't totally destroy the NG too! Remember Katrina...the Guard for the home front were not available because they and their equipment were in Iraq.

Get out of Iraq and into New Orleans. Home comes first.

[anotherdrew]

17. that is absolutly correct, one more impeachable offence!

bush may be able to use the reserve but there is no way he had the power to summon the national guard for his little adventure.

[VegasWolf]

14. Anyone else feeling a little drafty. This is bullshit, I wouldn't let my kids die for

any Cheney/Haliburton Oil wars.

[anotherdrew]

16. it's time to end all-volunteer. mandatory service is the only way to clean the forces

it's the only way we're going to get all the whack jobs out of power. a good number of good people will like their career prospects and stay in who otherwise would never have considered it. Also this kinda bullshit that happened with Iraq will not be repeatable.

[ShockediSay]

18. Mandatory Service?!?!? Like W did during Viet Nam? Don't kid yourself.

The well-to-do will get a way out

[WritersBlock]

19. Young Republicans, here's your chance to be all you can be!

And to put your ass where your mouth is, so to speak.

[qwlauren35]

21. All of a sudden,

Rangel's call for a draft doesn't seem so ludicrous. He's been trying to send the message for a while - if you REALLY back this war, then send your own children.

OVER 50% of the American public put Bush back in office, either by voting for him directly... or by staying home instead of voting against him.

While I can understand that those who voted against Bush would be incensed by a draft, I am not quite sure of any other way to wake up the American public and get a serious wave of resistance that our elected officials can't ignore.

Right now, too many people are NOT angry enough to make their views known.

Kucinich spoke of a bill to increase war funding that we need to fight. I think Rangel should tack his draft bit onto it, and watch that bill die a resounding death.