Mullens Admits U.S. Forces 'Stressed'

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Mullens Admits U.S. Forces 'Stressed'
Associated Press | February 06, 2008

WASHINGTON - The military's top uniformed officer says U.S. forces are "significantly stressed" by fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan while simultaneously trying to stem the tide of violent extremism elsewhere.

"The pace of ongoing operations has prevented our forces from fully training for the full spectrum of operations and impacts our ability to be ready to counter future threats," Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in testimony prepared for delivery Feb. 6.

Mullen's stern warnings are likely to become welcome political fodder for anti-war Democrats, who want legislation requiring that troops spend more time at home between combat tours. Last year's efforts to pass such a bill failed after intense lobbying by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who says it would do more harm than good and tie the hands of military commanders.

Mullen and Gates were to testify Feb. 6 in separate hearings of the House and Senate Armed Services committees. Copies of their prepared remarks were obtained in advance by The Associated Press.

In their testimony, Gates and Mullen ask Congress to support a $588.3 billion request for defense spending in the 2009 budget year, which begins Oct. 1.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,161495,00.html?wh=wh