NYT: Panel Calls U.S. Troop Size Insufficient for Demands

[DeepModem Mom]

THE MILITARY
Panel Calls U.S. Troop Size Insufficient for Demands
By THOM SHANKER

Published: September 24, 2004


WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 - A Pentagon-appointed panel of outside experts has concluded in a new study that the American military does not have sufficient forces to sustain current and anticipated stability operations, like the festering conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and other missions that might arise.

Portions of the study, which has not been officially released, were read into the public record on Thursday by Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, a leader of Democrats who want to expand the size of the military. During testimony by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and his top commanders, Senator Reed said he found the study "provocative and startling."

Mr. Rumsfeld said the report was an "excellent piece of work," and that he had ordered briefings on its findings for senior military and civilian officials.

But he cautioned after the hearing that the section read by Senator Reed was not a comprehensive synopsis, and that the authors of the study may not be fully aware of the variety of steps under way by the Pentagon broadly to lessen stress on the force, and actions taken specifically by the Army to increase the number of available combat forces without further expanding the military.

Senator Reed said the Defense Science Board study found "inadequate total numbers of U.S. troops" and "a lack of long-term endurance."...


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/24/politics/24military.html

[truthisfreedom]

1. "bush rejects panel observations as 'guesses'..."

etc.

[gottaB]

2. Richard Holbrooke on Charlie Rose Monday alluded to this study

He was debating Bush campaign advisor Richard Falkenrath, and insisting that privately everybody in Washington knew of this finding, and that either Bush would have to send more troops to Iraq or revise the mission.

The Bush campaign isn't being honest about Iraq.


Realplayer file of the segment is here:

http://www.charlierose.com/archives/archive.shtm

[Wright Patman]

3. Stability operations?

What kind of newspeak is this? I thought the neocon dream was to conduct "democracy operations" all over the benighted planet.

Whatever. I believe the U.S. economy and financial system will implode way before we assemble a large enough force to "stabilize" all the parts of the world either Israel or oilmen order us into.

[0007]

4. junior and Bumsfeld are still not certain that it is a scientific fact

that water runs down hill.

[gavodotcom]

5. We need more soldiers to pick up all the flowers thrown at our feet

Unfortunately, I have an inoperable pilonidal cyst, so you guys'll have to go without me.

Sorry!

This message brought to you by the EIB Network.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Good one, gavodotcom -- welcome to DU!

[robbedvoter]

7. When confronted by Tweety with Murtha's statement, Dan Burton said

"I don't have a cristal ball"
I am refering to the statement that more reservists will be called up right after the elections. I remember the immediate response to Kerry's speech was : "It's a conspiracy theory"
In light of the latest facts, their retorts seem considerably mollified. I hope Kerry keeps pounding this.

[trogdor]

8. I just read a thing in the Army Times (dead trees edition)

1/3 of all soldiers (some 5600) called up from the IRR have filed for exemptions from the callup for one reason or another. About 12% just cannot be found. Yup, they're beating down a path to the induction centers, yessiree!

Seems these people have all gotten lives since leaving the military. Imagine that!

If they can't scrape up enough troops out of the IRR, and Recruiting Command can't make mission, your high school seniors will be next after they graduate. Is yours registered to vote? You have about 10 days, depending on what state you live in, to make sure.