Corps’ end strength reaches 201,000

[unhappycamper]

Corps’ end strength reaches 201,000
By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Feb 27, 2009 16:04:49 EST

The Corps has grown to 201,000 active-duty Marines, putting it on pace to reach its goal to expand the service to 202,000 troops this summer, a Marine official said.

The Corps stood at 201,083 Marines as of Friday, said Maj. Shawn Haney, a spokeswoman for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Officials will not consider it official that the Corps has reached 202K until the end of fiscal 2009 in October, but the expectation is that the Corps will be at or near its goal several months before that.

“As we get closer to that number, we need to make sure we’re shaping the force so that we have the right mix of ranks and capabilities,” Haney said. “There is still work to be done.”

The Corps launched an effort to add 22,000 Marines in late 2006, with initial plans to reach 202,000 Marines by fiscal 2011. A combination of robust recruitment and re-enlistment has allowed the Corps to jump ahead of that goal by two years.

One caveat, however, is officer recruitment. Space constraints at officer schools have not allowed Marine officials to accelerate the number of second lieutenants joining the ranks. The Corps expects to reach a balance between the number of enlisted Marines and officers no sooner than 2011.


Rest of article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/02/marine_corpsgrowth_022709w/%2e