Top Generals Hint at Army Expansion of 60,000 Troops

ABC News | Sept. 25, 2006 | By JONATHAN KARL

[phoenix0468]

Well, perdogg, I agree with you in regards to the Euoropean theatre. I could care less what happens to Germany or Italy. Our troops in Britain are on permanent holiday, IMO. Shutting down Korea, on the other hand, leaves China with nothing to contain them should they decide to go "imperialistic" on the rest of East Asia. Don't say it won't happen until you look at recent history (which highly involved the lack of natural resources, something the Chinese are beginning to struggle with).

[jmc1969]

I have wanted the army increased by at least 200,000 since 911.

Sadly some people in the Pentagon think wars can be won on the cheap. There is no such thing as a cheap war.

[Whiterabbit3188]

He's not knocking you or such. He says that to everyone.

[Perdogg]

Do they want us in Korea and do they want us in Japan? I think we would be more welcome in Japan.

[CWOJackson]

Do you ever recall so many complaints leaking out of the Pentagon as we're seeing now...just a few months before the election.

If I were a cynical person I'd say the DNC is trying to force the GOP into increasing spending (which they will oppose without a tax increase) or look weak on defense.

[ozoneliar]

I've met foriegn army draftees. They seem pretty good. Israel has a draft, and look at their Army.

[Sender]

Well, if they're down to accepting old fat guys who don't take kindly to running for miles, I'll be happy to go ;)

[Whiterabbit3188]

We also will have to look at the European Theater turning Muslim. If it does become Eurabia, would it not help to have bases there?

However, I would think that, those countries would become more 'nationalized' before they get overtaken. But, it will be hard to compete when they care about dogs and cats instead of creating children.

[Perdogg]

I am not opposed to people critizing Rummy, but I want to hear legitmate gripping, instead of this let's throw something and hopes it sticks.

You go to war with the army you have, not with the one you want. I don't think the 4th ID during the intial stages of IF would have made things better.

Some people we say we too few troops, other say too many, some say both. You cannot have it both ways.

[zarf]

Will they take guys who have been "snipped"?

[phoenix0468]

Possibly, but not better situated.

[Ben Hecks]

You wouldn't be yawning if it was you doing multiple year and a half tours in Iraq. Just because it is criticism of Rummy, and by extension, the President, doesn't make it unwarranted.

Agree. We owe our troops a little more time between deployments. We probably don't need to go back to the equivalent of 18 divisions but 4 more Army divisions and another Marine division would help.

[phoenix0468]

You guys can thank Slick and his evil henchwoman Hitlary for the cut in Army Divisions. If I recall two European Divisions and at least two stateside Divisions were cut during their reign of terror.

[Perdogg]

I would prefer the use of smaller tactical units. I think the next "terror" war will be asymmetrical warfare of the type we saw in June/July. The days of massive armour is over.

[what's up]

Do you ever recall so many complaints leaking out of the Pentagon as we're seeing now...just a few months before the election

Don't forget that Hillary is one the Senate Armed Forces Committee so access to all the info.

As we speak she is behind closed doors in the late night hours gleaning through all the classified material and picking out nuggets to pass on to the DNC with which they can bash Pres. Bush over the head.

[Steel Wolf]

You guys can thank Slick and his evil henchwoman Hitlary for the cut in Army Divisions. If I recall two European Divisions and at least two stateside Divisions were cut during their reign of terror.

To be fair, Bush Sr started those cuts, and cut deep. But where does passing blame get us? Clinton also cut deep. Neither of them are in office today, so where does that get us?

President Bush and Sec Rumsfeld have had years to increase the size of the military, and have not. That's the problem.

[Ben Hecks]

We actually went from 18 Army divisions to 10.

[CWOJackson]

Yep. I expect we're going to be seeing more and more of these leaks from "Senior Pentagon Officials" as it gets closer to the election.

[axes_of_weezles]

I have met Korean draftees and Katusas. They werent worth spit. NCO's had to beat and kick them on a regular basis.

I worked with folks who joined the USAF to avoid being drafted. It creates major overhead to deal with motivation problems and causes morale problems throughout the ranks.

Until there is a life or death of the USA type war, draftees should not be used.

Isrealis have that kind of situation.

[cookcounty]

"Yawn. More politically motivated criticism of Rummy, and by extension, the President."

No...I'm a Bush supporter, but on this he's been wrong from Day One. Offer the incentives, the recruits will come. My son left in August for his 4th deployment in Iraq. I support him and his mission, but the perception that we barely have enough to cover our commitments emboldens the enemy. Even if we don't need them, it would be nice to know (nice for the enemy to know) that the President could have 100,000 more troops on the way in the morning if it struck his fancy. We are severely limited in regard to Ahmadinejad because he knows that in terms of ground force, we are about tapped out. That deeply injures our negotiating position, and makes war more, not less, likely.

Teddy Roosevelt said "Walk softly and carry a big stick" --it's still good advice. While I understand that in many situations the new technology is a tremendous force multiplier, the enemy is smart enough and assymetrical enough to shape the battlefield to the advantage of the low-techers.