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Top General Worries U.S. Army Getting Too Small
The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire blog ^ | October 13, 2014 | Julian E. Barnes

Posted on 10/13/2014 10:17:48 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

The Army’s top general said Monday that an increase in threats around the world requires that the U.S. rethink plans to cut the size of the American military’s ground force.

The Army agreed – reluctantly — to cut the size of its force to 490,000 under the budget reductions originally approved in 2011. But as a result of subsequent White House-Congress spending battles and military budget reviews, Pentagon leaders said the Army has had to make plans to shrink even further, to 450,000 or even 420,000.

But Gen. Ray Odierno, the chief of staff of the Army, said Monday that even 490,000 may be too small, given recent events such as the rise of militants fighting for Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, and Moscow’s moves in Eastern Europe....

(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Government; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: armedforces; army; ebola; isis; military; obama; russia; war
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1 posted on 10/13/2014 10:17:49 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

It doesn’t matter how small it is if the obamites refuse to deploy it.


2 posted on 10/13/2014 10:18:54 PM PDT by JohnBrowdie (http://forum.stink-eye.net)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I agree it is getting smaller and yet at the same time, more female.


3 posted on 10/13/2014 10:26:56 PM PDT by ansel12 ( LEGAL immigrants, 30 million 1980-2012, continues to remake the nationÂ’s electorate for democrats)
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To: ansel12

And more illegal immigrant, homosexual, transgender, DREAMer and etc...


4 posted on 10/13/2014 10:28:32 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.)
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To: ansel12

How is even a 420,000 too small?


5 posted on 10/13/2014 10:29:11 PM PDT by wetphoenix
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

In 1984, when I entered service, the Army had double that number. The population of the US at that time was around 220 million. Today, we have around over 310 million. Yes, there have been efficiencies created and improved technology, but, IMHO, we do not have enough people to do the missions assigned to the military. The military is worn out and its equipment needs replacement. More personnel would relieve the burdens of so many already doing multiple deployments.


6 posted on 10/13/2014 10:32:09 PM PDT by 3Fingas (Sons and Daughters for Freedom and Rededication to the Principles of the U.S. Constitution)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Obama would rather send welfare checks for people setting on their behinds doing nothing.


7 posted on 10/13/2014 10:34:12 PM PDT by boycott
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To: 3Fingas

A combination of the draft and a good-sized foreign legion might be called for. Every year, fewer of the military aged cohort qualify for service, mostly due to obesity, learning disabilities, drug use and criminal records.


8 posted on 10/13/2014 10:35:03 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.)
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To: wetphoenix

To you, being in the Russian Army, I can see your annoyance at our support for a strong American Army, but it is already too small and was strained during these recent wars.


9 posted on 10/13/2014 10:35:29 PM PDT by ansel12 ( LEGAL immigrants, 30 million 1980-2012, continues to remake the nationÂ’s electorate for democrats)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

If there’s going to be a draft, it needs to include women.


10 posted on 10/13/2014 10:36:58 PM PDT by Night Hides Not (Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad! Remember Mississippi!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Question .......

How much does the average enlisted make?

How much does the average welfare recipient take in?

I know of a lot of welfare cases where they take in more than some in our military. And these welfare sponges do absolutely nothing to take in this taxpayer money other than stink up the place. We’re cutting the wrong people.


11 posted on 10/13/2014 10:37:12 PM PDT by boycott
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To: wetphoenix; ansel12

There were 787,000 on active duty the day I was sworn-in as Regular Army. That’s not counting the Reserves, DEP, National Guard and so forth.


12 posted on 10/13/2014 10:38:34 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.)
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To: boycott

A brand-new E-1 (private, seaman apprentice, Airman, etc.) makes just over $1,500 a month in base pay. A four star general makes about $20,000 a month. Everyone else is somewhere in between:

http://milpaychart.com/2014-military-pay-chart/


13 posted on 10/13/2014 10:42:20 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

It was well over a million active when I first enlisted.


14 posted on 10/13/2014 10:42:50 PM PDT by ansel12 ( LEGAL immigrants, 30 million 1980-2012, continues to remake the nationÂ’s electorate for democrats)
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To: Night Hides Not
If there’s going to be a draft, it needs to include women.

The draft should begin with those on welfare who refuse to work.

15 posted on 10/13/2014 10:43:59 PM PDT by Octar
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To: ansel12

Is there a threat a 420,000 US Army wouldn’t cope with?


16 posted on 10/13/2014 10:45:14 PM PDT by wetphoenix
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To: ansel12

But our diversity is our strength!

/s


17 posted on 10/13/2014 10:48:23 PM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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To: wetphoenix

Rather than me answering your questions as you post them to me one by one, why don’t you just make your statements of what you think.

What size does an active duty Russian soldier want our Army to be.


18 posted on 10/13/2014 10:48:36 PM PDT by ansel12 ( LEGAL immigrants, 30 million 1980-2012, continues to remake the nationÂ’s electorate for democrats)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

1,500 sounds like too little pay to me and I can’t see a reason why one can make 20,000 a month at ANY government job. It is not surprising that the general is more loyal to the government than to his troops and mission in this case.


19 posted on 10/13/2014 10:49:14 PM PDT by wetphoenix
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
1) Army too small

2) Dollar too weak

3) Welfare too high

4) Healthcare falling apart

5) Races clashing

6) Isis too strong

7) Interovirus and Ebola spreading

Gee do you think the Russians might make a move?

20 posted on 10/13/2014 10:50:09 PM PDT by jetson (S)
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