General Jones: EUCOM war role could increase

[lebkuchen]

Jones said Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld is “pleased” with the EUCOM transformation plan, but it is still unknown when the plan will be implemented and how much of it will become reality. The draft has not been released publicly.

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Exactly when EUCOM shifts toward Eastern Europe, though, is a question mark. Jones concedes he does not know how much of his draft plan will become reality.

“It’s a plan, in a sense, that is timeless. Nothing has to be done now or next year. You can do it piecemeal, all at once ... any number of ways,” he said.

The plan must be explained to both the American military and its allies, he said. What does happen, he cautioned, will be done with the “full attention to the quality of life of our families.”

http://estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=17734

Comment: Jones used to be hot and heavy for army unit rotation/unaccompanied tours to Eastern Europe. It wasn't that it "could" increase but "WOULD." He wrote long letters and articles to Stripes telling everyone to prepare for the inevitable.

Now he's softening his stance. Why? I think it's because Rummy's plan is SO unpopular with the military that it's hurting recruitment/reenlistment. Also, there's no money to implement it. Jones could also be sensitive to the recent NY Times editorial blasting the plan as being a waste of money and unhealthy for our military.