Kerry contantly criticizes Bush for calling up so many National Guard and Reserves and he warns Bush will bring back a draft to meet personnel shortages. But Kerry told us his plan during the debate. He says he plans to create two more divisions and double the Special Forces. What he is refering to is one of many options that was considered by the Congressional Budget Office last year. The result is not only an 80,000 man increase in active forces, but it also requires a 10,000-11,000 increase in reserve forces. It would cost an additional $3-4 billion annually and it has tremendous one time costs for training and equipment. After all, 90,000 pair of boots, field gear, and rifles are expensive but that's just the start. You also have all the trucks, machineguns, mortars, armor, payroll, training, billeting, and sustainment costs.
The current administration chose its course of action from the many that were considered. The choice Kerry alluded to was considered but not chosen for obvious reasons.
Contraditions: Kerry can't decrease the number of soldiers called to duty and increase the military by 2 divisions at the same time. Kerry can't cut the cost of military expendatures in Iraq and increase military spending by over $3 billion at the same time. Kerry can't claim that Bush has a secret plan to institute a draft because the army can't get enough volunteers and then tell us Kerry as president will increase military manning by 90,000 more people - from where? And Kerry can't criticize Bush for calling up so many reserves when he wants to add two new divisions that would require an additional 10,000 reserves.
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