US active military peaked at 3.1 million in 1969. In 1973 with the end of Vietnam and the draft, we were down to about 2 million soldiers. We stayed at around 2 million until Reagan added about 200,000 more soldiers and we peaked again in 1987 with 2.18 million. From 1987 to 1992 we declined by 375, 000 to 1.8 million. During the 1st 4 years of Clinton our military declined by about a 100,000 soldiers a year. The following 4 years had small reductions until by 2000 we had 1.38 million active soldiers. In Dubyas first four years we added 50,000 soldiers bringing us to 1.43 million. From late 2004 till last June we have declined about 43,000 soldiers bringing us back to 2000 levels of 1.38 million. In July soldier strength rose 3,000.
The media keeps pretending Iraq is a quagmire, but I don't think many people are buying it. The media rants about a drop in public support as if it entered into the equation. Dubya ain't running again. Iraq is Dubya's war. Iraq is his legacy. We are not going to lose this war. I expect Iraq to become self sufficient much sooner than later, and quite possibly a preemptive attack on Iran before 2009 if internal pressures don't cause a collapse from within much earlier. With our help of course.
Washington Post Staff Writer, Peter Baker recently opined...
Administration officials have all but given up any hope of militarily defeating the insurgents with U.S. forces, instead aiming only to train and equip enough Iraqi security forces to take over the fight themselves.
The 98th Army Reserve division has been in Iraq since Oct of 2004 to train Iraq's new Army. They are expected to stay 1 year and if necessary turn the job over to another training division. This was the plan all along. To train the Iraqi's to defend themselves. The media knows this, I know this, I think most people know this. The MSM is just pushing their readers to the new media for the truth. They are quickly becoming irrelevant.
God bless each and every one of our troops!
Over 400 Louisiana Guard Soldiers re-enlist en masse
Blackanthem.com, CAMP TIGERLAND, Iraq, July 23, 2005
On July 20, in a chapel in Baghdad, voices rang out together, not in a song of praise, but in commitment. More than 400 National Guard Soldiers of the 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division raised their right hand and swore to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America."
Since the beginning of the deployment, 925 Soldiers promised service to their states and nation, with 761 hailing from Louisiana, 120 from New York, ,and 43 from various other states and territories attached to the 256th BCT: such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Washington and Puerto Rico. The numbers of Soldiers who have extended is a true testament of the dedicated Soldiers and Leaders in the 256th BCT," said Capt. Jeff Musumeche, Brigade Strength Manager. "Soldiers extend for a majority of reasons; however, they all have one common attribute dedication to the Guard. Our Soldiers are constantly engaged in full-spectrum operations while serving in Iraq; however, our leadership never forgets the age-old saying of taking care of Soldiers. With this commitment, we will continue to excel in retaining combat-experienced Soldiers."
Soldiers had a variety of reasons for continuing their service to the 256th, Delcambre said. Many just wanted to continue to serve, and others love what they do. Some wanted to be Soldiers until they retire, as well as take advantage of the educational benefits.
By Spc. Erin Robicheaux
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Excellent.