thedrifter
04-27-06, 08:03 AM
Security & Terrorism
House panel approves more troops
WASHINGTON, April 27 (UPI) -- A House Armed Services subcommittee has granted the Marine Corps and the Army additional troops, contrary to Pentagon plans.
Marine Corps leaders in particular have been outspoken about the need to maintain 180,000 Marines on active duty, although the Quadrennial Defense Review prescribed reducing the Marines back to their traditional end strength of 175,000 over the next few years.
The Marine Corps' second highest officer in early April told Pentagon reporters the Marine Corps could not absorb a 5,000-man cut without degrading operational forces. He said the cut "could be very, very bad."
The Marine Corps has about 25,000 Marines deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan for the last three years. Some Marines are already on their third seven-month combat tour.
The additional Marines have thus far been paid for out of emergency supplemental requests.
The subcommittee on personnel also approved Wednesday an overall end strength increase of 30,000 for the Army, and approved manning the Army National Guard at 350,000. The Army has committed only to funding the end strength of the Army National Guard as it grows out of supplemental funds, rather than the annual budget. The National Guard now has about 330,000.
The Pentagon wants to keep end strength to the lowest possible level for budget reasons. Pentagon accountants estimate that every additional 10,000 troops cost the Defense Department around $1.2 billion, and they carry with them long-term health costs, pensions and other benefits for their families.
The personnel subcommittee also provided a 2.7 percent pay raise, as well as targeted pay raises for warrant officers and senior and mid-grade noncommissioned officers, according to the committee Democrats.
Ellie
House panel approves more troops
WASHINGTON, April 27 (UPI) -- A House Armed Services subcommittee has granted the Marine Corps and the Army additional troops, contrary to Pentagon plans.
Marine Corps leaders in particular have been outspoken about the need to maintain 180,000 Marines on active duty, although the Quadrennial Defense Review prescribed reducing the Marines back to their traditional end strength of 175,000 over the next few years.
The Marine Corps' second highest officer in early April told Pentagon reporters the Marine Corps could not absorb a 5,000-man cut without degrading operational forces. He said the cut "could be very, very bad."
The Marine Corps has about 25,000 Marines deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan for the last three years. Some Marines are already on their third seven-month combat tour.
The additional Marines have thus far been paid for out of emergency supplemental requests.
The subcommittee on personnel also approved Wednesday an overall end strength increase of 30,000 for the Army, and approved manning the Army National Guard at 350,000. The Army has committed only to funding the end strength of the Army National Guard as it grows out of supplemental funds, rather than the annual budget. The National Guard now has about 330,000.
The Pentagon wants to keep end strength to the lowest possible level for budget reasons. Pentagon accountants estimate that every additional 10,000 troops cost the Defense Department around $1.2 billion, and they carry with them long-term health costs, pensions and other benefits for their families.
The personnel subcommittee also provided a 2.7 percent pay raise, as well as targeted pay raises for warrant officers and senior and mid-grade noncommissioned officers, according to the committee Democrats.
Ellie