At Least Two Military Executives Express Concern Over Proposed Troop Increase

[tekisui]

Source: UPI

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama resumes discussions on reassessing the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, officials said.

The Joint Chiefs were to meet Friday with Obama to discuss the effect on the military if a large number of additional troops were deployed to Afghanistan, CNN reported.

"The president wants to get input from different services," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said. "It's a chance to consult with uniformed military leadership as a part of his review."

At least two military executives have expressed concern about a proposed increase of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, CNN reported. The Army and Marine Corps have said such a move could make it more difficult to give troops promised time at home between overseas tours.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2009/10/30/UPI-NewsTrack-TopNews/UPI-17421256905336/

[justabob]

1. what is a military executive?

Is that like generals and assorted Brass or what? I have never heard that terminology before. We all know war is a business, but I don't think I like the blending of military and corporate words.

[tekisui]

2. An executive would be one who executes policy.

Obama is the Chief Executive. I don't think the terminology is necessarily nefarious. Maybe someone else can chime in, but I would imagine they are somewhere in the Chief of Staffs.

[justabob]

3. yeah, it just sounds wierd

I understand about executive officers etc, the usage in the op just threw me a bit. I didn't mean to imply nefarious intention with the word choice, just noticing the change.

[Javaman]

4. Little factoid from the Rachel Maddow interview with the author of

"Legacy of Ashes".

We are now in Afghanistan longer than the Soviets were.

Let that sink in for a little while.

[Viking12]

6. ...and soon we will have been in Afghanistan longer than we were in Viet Nam

In Viet Nam, the vast majority of the fatalities came after the escalation in 1967.

[tekisui]

5. kick