U.S. Army Adds 30,000 Soldiers in Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040323/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_army_strain&cid=540&ncid=1480

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Army is seeking ways to ease the strain on U.S. troops in Iraq (news - web sites) before the tough deployment deters Americans from volunteering to join the Army or extend tours of duty, the acting Secretary of the Army said Tuesday.


Les Brownlee said the service is already reacting to the rigors of Iraq by adding 30,000 new troops — 10 new combat brigades — to the Army and using as many new Iraqi soldiers as possible for jobs previously handled by U.S. troops.


For American forces, Iraq is a dangerous assignment in a land where comforts are few, and restrictions on the force — no drinking, no relations with Iraqis and no off-base jaunts — make the assignment a dreary one.


Since the invasion a year ago, 584 U.S. troops have died and more than 3,000 have been wounded. Some soldiers return home saying they want to leave the Army at their next opportunity.

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[InnerCityBlues]

1. It's really ironic

That at one point, everyday we were hearing about a soldier dying. Then all of a sudden, nothing. In about a month in a half I haven't read or heard anything.

Another thing about the death count. In the opening phases of the war, everyone was talking about how they were suprised at the level of resistance. This when they were reporting about 23 deaths. Everyone was saying just how surprised and fierce the resistence. So I ask, does that seem right. 150,000 troops, 23 deaths, and all the military men are saying they were surprised at the strong level of resistence. I think their are actually many many more causualties than are being reported, many many more deaths.

[NickB79]

10. The resistance is changing its targets

At first, it was the US forces they were targeting daily with roadside bombs and snipers. The military's response has been to cut back patrols, retreat more and more to heavily defended Green Zones, and send out poorly trained and equipped Iraqi's in their place. I've read figures quoting over 650 Iraqi police have been killed by Iraqi resistance over the past year alone. Thousands of civilians have been killed as the resistance targets those who merely collaborate with the US forces as well. All these deaths barely get mention in the US media, though.

[daleo]

2. Sounds like something Joseph Heller would write

They plan to send more troops to Iraq, so that the prospect of being sent to Iraq doesn't discourage the troops.

[Voltaire99]

12. "There was only one catch..."

Yes, I thought as much, too.

Pity that Heller belongs to the pre-video game era: had they read him, the kids soon to be sacrificed in Iraq might have decided that servitude to Wal-Mart beats being in our colonial army.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

18. It sounds like Vietnam to me.

This is the troop escalation part.

[LagaLover]

20. While we have far too many troops over there already

I think the headline of this article is misleading. The article doesn't say we are adding 30,000 troops to Iraq, it says we are adding 30,000 to the Army at large in order to reduce the ops/perstempo on those in Iraq.

[alcuno]

3. This article must be a couple of hours old. It's 587 dead US military

May they all find peace with God.

[frank frankly]

4. many of them probably don't believe in any god, so no solace there

no offense, alcuno, and i understand your sentiment, but there are plenty of atheists in foxholes

peace
ff

[alcuno]

7. None taken.

And I don't want to offend anyone, but since I believe in God and His love, I can't help thinking He will welcome all of us.

[UpInArms]

5. deleted by poster

sorry wrong thread :(

[RobertSeattle]

6. The one place the Bush Admin SHOULD outsource...

But the arrogance and ignorance Administration can't create a real coalition.

[Tuttle]

13. Good point!

It seems ANYWHERE else is perfectly fine for almost any job -- blue collar/white collar but when it comes to fighting terrorism (though Iraq doesn't really qualify for that -ism) our boys and girls are the only effective deterrent -- somebody needs to tell this to Kerry's team so they can massage it into a cohesive message.

Tut-tut

[Qanisqineq]

8. But I thought it was a success!?!!?

What happened to "Mission Accomplished"? Bastard Dubya.

BTW -- my husband landed in the US today and is safe. For now.

[WhereIsMyFreedom]

11. Glad he made it back safe.

Hope he doesn't have to go back.

[trogdor]

19. I'm glad for you.

:-)

[saigon68]

9. This is a bad war

There never is a "really good" war. Some are worse than others.
This is one of those. Nothing good will come form this. Young people will die like dogs so the ruling class (as it exists) will have profits, fame and self importance.

[0007]

14. What are the daily activities and duties of our troops?

Are they guarding pipelines? Are they guarding Oil fields? Are they guarding civilians that work for Halliburton?

Or is it just police action?

[underpants]

15. Funny that's how many Wolfowitz thought the whole war would take

OF course the also said it would only cost us $1.7 Billion too.

No link but the original plan that Wolfowitz put forward was for two brigades. That was all he thought would be needed to invade and occupy a nation of 25 Million as we all know that is the size of California. Depending on how the two brigades were structured and manned the number would range from 20K-40K total.

And he seemed to think that most of their duty would consist of sweeping up all the roses that had been thrown as the arrived. Well Paul those weren't roses they were throwing.

[LagaLover]

16. Looks like whatever editor wrote that headline screwed up

and didn't read or comprehend the article. The Army is adding 30,000 new troops to the Army end strength; they are NOT adding 30,00o new soldiers in Iraq. That will allow for greater time between combat rotations to Iraq.

[trogdor]

21. Kinda figured that.

Problem is, where will the 30,000 come from? Those for whom the Army is the employer of last resort? Before Recruiting Command flat-out fails to make mission, the overall quality of new recruits will fall. Since they've had something like 96% HS diploma graduates pre-Iraq, they've got quite a ways to fall before they run out of cannon-fodder. 30,000 warm bodies isn't really that many when you think about it that way.

Before long, we may be back to the way it was in the 1970's - lots of stoners and dropouts who barely passed their entrance exams - I think it was 35% as late as 1980. The only reason casualties have been so low from a historical standpoint is because we have a professional Army, most of whom have many years' training. Throw 30,000 green recruits into the mix, and you will see casualty rates climb big time.

[Mari333]

17. and if their loved oned speak out against the war SHHHHH

you better be quiet or you will be told to shut up in oh so many devious ways.
assholes.
http://www.mfso.org