How will this report by the DoD (re: Iraq/Afghan), due 10/31, affect 11/2?

[SangamonTaylor]

The 2005 Defense Appropriations bill states that sometime before October 31 of this year Donald Rumsfeld will be required to present to Congress a VERY important report on the status of military operations and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan. Here's a copy of Sec. 9010, what I believe will be VERY important in understanding how things are REALLY proceeding in Iraq and Afghanistan. Here's my take on the upcoming report (with my comments in italics)

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ287.108">2005 Defense Appropriations Bill

Public Law 108-287
108th Congress

Sec. 9010. <<NOTE: Deadlines. Reports. 10 USC 113 note.>> (a) Not later than April 30 and October 31 of each year, the Secretary of
Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the military operations of the Armed Forces and the reconstruction activities of the Department of Defense in Iraq and Afghanistan.

(b) Each report shall include the following information:

(1) For each of Iraq and Afghanistan for the half-fiscal year
ending during the month preceding the due date of the report, the amount expended for military operations of the Armed Forces and the amount expended for reconstruction activities, together with the cumulative total amounts expended for such operations and activities.
This should be no surprise to people, everyone pretty much expects a huge bill

(2) An assessment of the progress made toward preventing attacks on United States personnel.
I would really like to see what progress we're making on this, especially considering that the number of casualties has been increasing recently.

(3) An assessment of the effects of the operations and activities in Iraq and Afghanistan on the readiness of the Armed Forces.
Can we say, "our military is stretched thin", perhaps? 9 out of 10 active duty divisions of our Army either going to Iraq, coming from Iraq, or getting ready to go...it'll be interesting to see how Rumsfeld spins this one.

(4) An assessment of the effects of the operations and activities in Iraq and Afghanistan on the recruitment and retention of personnel for the Armed Forces.
Perhaps we'll get an answer as to why the Army's recruiting command has lowered some standards for the first time since 1998.

From the recent http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/01/politics/01recruit.html?oref=login&hp=&pagewanted=print&position=">NYTimes article

The Army's decision to loosen standards comes amid calls for the House Armed Services Committee to investigate accusations by some Iraq war veterans that, nearing the end of their enlistments, they are being pressured to choose between re-enlisting on one hand and being sent back to Iraq with another unit on the other. Army officials have denied using any such approach to encourage re-enlistment.

The Army's decision to loosen standards comes amid calls for the House Armed Services Committee to investigate accusations by some Iraq war veterans that, nearing the end of their enlistments, they are being pressured to choose between re-enlisting on one hand and being sent back to Iraq with another unit on the other. Army officials have denied using any such approach to encourage re-enlistment.

(5) For the half-fiscal year ending during the month preceding the due date of the report, the costs incurred for repair of Department of Defense equipment used in the operations and activities in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Maybe we will actually receive a more clear understanding of just how many HUMVEES are being destroyed over there in Iraq...probably not though...

(6) The foreign countries, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations that are contributing support for the ongoing military operations and reconstruction activities, together with a discussion of the amount and types of support contributed by each during the half-fiscal year ending during the month preceding the due date of the report.
This ought to be interesting...

(7) The extent to which, and the schedule on which, the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces is being involuntarily ordered to active duty under section 12304 of title 10, United States Code.
oh my

(8) For each unit of the National Guard of the United States and the other reserve components of the Armed Forces on active duty pursuant to an order to active duty under section 12304 of title 10, United States Code, the following information:
(A) The unit.
(B) The projected date of return of the unit to its home station.
(C) The extent (by percentage) to which the forces deployed within the United States and outside the United States in support of a contingency operation are composed of reserve component forces.
Perhaps we'll finally see (at least by percentage) the amount of Reservists and National Guardsmen who are being forced into Active duty positions. Hasn't Kerry been saying something or another about a backdoor draft? Lets see how Rumsfeld sugarcoats this number.

Overall, while I beleive that this report could be very important for understanding our positions in Iraq and Afghanistan, it being due on or before October 31st (that's a Sunday, so I'd guess it would be provided at least by Friday the 29th...unsure about this), will probably be so close to the election that it wont have a serious effect. Also, my guess is that this report will be completely sugarglossed and candy-coated, for those who prefer wearing rose colored glasses.

[TexasBushwhacker]

1. He'll miss the deadline and get fired

on purpose.