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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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To: wetphoenix

Thank you.


61 posted on 10/14/2014 1:22:24 AM PDT by sauropod (Fat Bottomed Girl: "What difference, at this point, does it make?")
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

The Army will be much smaller, soon. Operation United Assistance is now underway.


62 posted on 10/14/2014 2:06:42 AM PDT by jacknhoo (Luke 12:51. Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Just drop them off first and see how they do.


63 posted on 10/14/2014 2:19:14 AM PDT by maddog55
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To: Octar

That is a terrible idea.


64 posted on 10/14/2014 2:39:27 AM PDT by EEGator
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To: ansel12

Different way of thinking with the “me” generation. Even when I was in, i would rather have a volunteer than someone that was forced into it. Even the draftee’s when I joined up were volunteers because they had already reenlisted to stay in. I would rather have an empty rank on my left or right than someone who was forced in. My 2 cents.


65 posted on 10/14/2014 2:44:10 AM PDT by mikefive (RLTW)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

And, despite all that, they have to recruit illegal aliens, gays, and women as Rangers.


66 posted on 10/14/2014 3:45:32 AM PDT by rbg81
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To: 3Fingas

In that vein, it is worth noting that an ordinary EM who served 4 years during the Vietnam era, gets from the GI Bill $1,500 for education, and $12,000 for a home loan, among other nearly worthless ‘benefits’. So much were they hated.


67 posted on 10/14/2014 4:01:09 AM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

We still have an Army?


68 posted on 10/14/2014 4:01:52 AM PDT by fortheDeclaration (Pr 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:but sin is a reproach to any people)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Obama, in an effort to bend over backward in the cause of fairness, doesn’t want the US military to outnumber, say.... Ecuador, Denmark, or Thailand.


69 posted on 10/14/2014 4:11:53 AM PDT by Jack Hammer
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

That’s true. But it doesn’t mean that I want to celebrate the fags and dykes in our military. In fact, I would love to run them out and wipe out the ignorant F*cks who are fine with the destruction of our military. Of course the only real power I have is to spread the word on FR as even my right to vote in Ohio has been stolen by the leftist fraud from Cleveland. Civil War II is needed in the worst way.


70 posted on 10/14/2014 4:17:33 AM PDT by ohioman
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To: JohnBrowdie
It doesn’t matter how small it is if the obamites refuse to deploy it.

The Obungler will deploy them alright, to be infected with ebola.

71 posted on 10/14/2014 4:17:50 AM PDT by Mark17 (So we tanned his hide when he died Clyde and that's it hanging on the shed. Altogether now)
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To: mikefive

The Army is far smaller, yet the number of general officers has increased...that’s where I’d start cutting..


72 posted on 10/14/2014 4:19:27 AM PDT by ken5050 ("One useless man is a shame, two are a law firm, three or more are a Congress".. John Adams)
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To: ken5050

+1 what you said....Too many chiefs, not enough indians.


73 posted on 10/14/2014 4:25:35 AM PDT by 3Fingas (Sons and Daughters for Freedom and Rededication to the Principles of the U.S. Constitution)
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To: ansel12; wetphoenix

It would be nice if the rest of NATO honored their obligations for a change rather than relying on the United States to fight all its battles, don’t you think?

Why should the US be forced to maintain a 500K plus standing army AND pay the lions share of the NATO budget each year?

Especially when countries like Turkey openly conspire against our national security interests.


74 posted on 10/14/2014 4:39:20 AM PDT by mac_truck ( Aide toi et dieu t aidera)
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To: boycott
Military families were more reliant on food stamps in 2013 than in any previous year
75 posted on 10/14/2014 4:43:56 AM PDT by ex91B10 (We've tried the Soap Box,the Ballot Box and the Jury Box; ONE BOX LEFT!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

We’re being set up to be clobbered.


76 posted on 10/14/2014 4:45:55 AM PDT by ought-six ( Multiculturalism is national suicide, and political correctness is the cyanide capsule.)
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To: wetphoenix

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

Yes. It’s called China. And it has been going hog-wild gearing up to hit us. Russia is re-arming for a potential clash with the U.S. and Europe, as well. And there is every chance Russia and China will ally in that regard.


77 posted on 10/14/2014 4:53:16 AM PDT by ought-six ( Multiculturalism is national suicide, and political correctness is the cyanide capsule.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

obola will make it smaller with Ebola. How many will sign up if they think they’re going to be intentionally exposed.


78 posted on 10/14/2014 5:01:11 AM PDT by bgill (CDC site, "we still do not know exactly how people are infected with Ebola")
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To: 3Fingas

Today, the US military ( less than 2 million ) has more flag ranks ( and all their staffs) than at the height of WW II, when we had 15 million in uniform..


79 posted on 10/14/2014 5:13:31 AM PDT by ken5050 ("One useless man is a shame, two are a law firm, three or more are a Congress".. John Adams)
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To: ex91B10

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/02/18/3299971/food-stamps-military/


I’ve got no problem with them receiving it. I would prefer they were paid better and not need it. We should take the money from those doing nothing for it and give it to those serving our nation.


80 posted on 10/14/2014 6:50:35 AM PDT by boycott
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