US troops on the march - out the army (draft mentioned at end)

[RamboLiberal]

http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FA10Ak02.html

<snip>

As a result of the extra strain imposed on US forces due to the length of their deployments, it is becoming harder for the Pentagon to rely on an all-volunteer military force to handle the White House's foreign policy initiatives. Many soldiers in the military originally enlisted during times of relative peace and did not expect to be deployed for months at a time in the Middle East, let alone being placed in a country that is sending body bags and stretchers home on a daily basis.

This current reality has concerned Washington policymakers as there is a justified fear that troop retention rates will decline and that less individuals will sign up for military service. The idea of an all-volunteer military is now being tested in a manner not experienced before.

Lieutenant-General James Helmly, chief of the 250,000-member Army Reserve, told USA Today in the Fall of last year: "Retention is what I am most worried about. It is my number one concern. This is the first extended-duration war the country has fought with an all-volunteer force." Helmly assured that he and other Pentagon officials would be carefully monitoring retention rates in 2004.

<snip>

If Washington continues to fail in the pacification of Iraq, and therefore cannot reduce its current troop levels there, it will have to seriously consider how to resolve the present strain on US forces. Two primary options, such as pulling troops out of Iraq prematurely, or reintroducing conscription, are not at all desirable to the administration since the former could result in a dramatic blow to US interests, while the latter would open up a political hornet's nest.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Draft nah,

noting to see here, (Wolfie and Runmmy are on record)

The army's back is broken... this will come