From Military.com
This, of course, is not a good sign. While we will eventually begin to draw down forces in Iraq, that won't happen for the next 18 months, at least. And, if tensions with Iran continue to rise, we may have to increase the forces deployed to Iraq, not decrease them. The shortfall is harming Army plans to increase force levels to 510,000 men and is causing problems for the transition to the new, lighter brigades that will form the heart of tomorrow's Army.
Recruiters are placing the blame for shortfalls among the young on parents;
It is not all bad news, however. Retention is up;
So, what is the solution? Well, at some point, if the war expands, if we have to invade Iran or North Korea, if the conflict spreads in the near future into other areas of the Middle East (Syria, the Arabian Peninsula) or if troop levels need to expand significantly in Iraq, then a draft might be necessary. Or, we can continue to retask our forces. For example, the forces being withdrawn from Germany will be available for use elsewhere. However, without a large influx of troops, the US will be hard pressed to take on additional operations and there is only so much that can be done with incentives, bonuses and advertising.
One option that would not involve the draft would be setting up a force like the Foreign Legion, a separate entity made up of non-US citizens, who would fight for pay and citizenship. This would have the advantage of allowing us to tailor specific units to specific regions. It would also be one way to tap into a large pool of manpower around the globe who would be more than willing to fight for high pay and US citizenship. And, it would avoid the draft.
Eventually, the RPVs and combat robots just starting to come out of the labs and onto the battlefield will make up the majority of forces. Until that time, however, we need bodies. Perhaps it is time to look overseas for them.
This, of course, is not a good sign. While we will eventually begin to draw down forces in Iraq, that won't happen for the next 18 months, at least. And, if tensions with Iran continue to rise, we may have to increase the forces deployed to Iraq, not decrease them. The shortfall is harming Army plans to increase force levels to 510,000 men and is causing problems for the transition to the new, lighter brigades that will form the heart of tomorrow's Army.
Recruiters are placing the blame for shortfalls among the young on parents;
It is not all bad news, however. Retention is up;
So, what is the solution? Well, at some point, if the war expands, if we have to invade Iran or North Korea, if the conflict spreads in the near future into other areas of the Middle East (Syria, the Arabian Peninsula) or if troop levels need to expand significantly in Iraq, then a draft might be necessary. Or, we can continue to retask our forces. For example, the forces being withdrawn from Germany will be available for use elsewhere. However, without a large influx of troops, the US will be hard pressed to take on additional operations and there is only so much that can be done with incentives, bonuses and advertising.
One option that would not involve the draft would be setting up a force like the Foreign Legion, a separate entity made up of non-US citizens, who would fight for pay and citizenship. This would have the advantage of allowing us to tailor specific units to specific regions. It would also be one way to tap into a large pool of manpower around the globe who would be more than willing to fight for high pay and US citizenship. And, it would avoid the draft.
Eventually, the RPVs and combat robots just starting to come out of the labs and onto the battlefield will make up the majority of forces. Until that time, however, we need bodies. Perhaps it is time to look overseas for them.
