More like where does he get the troops from? The army is on a 15 months overseas and less than 12 months home rotation right now. The only way to staff the surge and find extra troops for Afganistan is to cut the at-home time even more.
Not so.
Senior officials at the Pentagon are proposing a shift of 25,000 Marines from Iraq to Afghanistan next spring - but Gates is balking. ?Protecting his turf? Ego?
I can't say - but he doesn't like the idea...
However, I heard from a contact that the Marines are training for mountain warfare and going in come spring - so they will be ready -
Hoping this is one of the "make it so" decisions Gen Petraeus, in his new and unprecedented role in being called back to the states for assignment at the DOD = will take place. .. sensitive territorial toes be damned.
My g'son is in that hell hole in Korengal Valley for 15 months - then is planning on 12 months stateside before going back another 15. Gates has recently expressed he may not LET them come stateside for that 12 months - but keep them at the HQ for the 173rd in Italy.
That plain STINKS...and if 'accepting' the Marines for reinforcements will help with that inhuman scenario - than LET IT HAPPEN