FOXNEWS: Former Officers Warn 'Surge' in Iraq Could Place Fatal Strain on U.S. Military

[sabra]

If Faux news is reporting this Bushco is in trouble...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,240821,00.html

Former Officers Warn 'Surge' in Iraq Could Place Fatal Strain on U.S. Military

WASHINGTON — As President George W. Bush contemplates a "surge" in U.S. troops in Iraq and an expansion of the nation's armed forces, several former military officers warn that either decision could place an almost fatal strain on an already stressed force and may reduce recruiting standards in a push to meet numerical goals.

...

Former military officers who spoke to FOXNews.com said increasing troop levels in Baghdad would mean keeping existing brigades there longer, bringing U.S. troops in from other areas of Iraq and accelerating deployments from home. If any of these were to be done long-term, rules for mobilizing the reserves and National Guard would have to be changed so they could be redeployed more often.

"Surge? Yes, we can," said retired Army Col. Douglas MacGregor, a decorated combat veteran who led armored cavalry in Operation Desert Storm. "It will break the force, which in my estimation is broken already. It will leave you with no strategic reserves."

Retired Army Col. David Hunt, a regular FOX News contributor who recently returned from Iraq, said the prospect of assigning soldiers and Marines in Iraq for longer tours of duty is cause for worry.

"Everyone we met was on a second tour, at least, and many were on their fourth or fifth combat tour in either Iraq or Afghanistan. The soldiers are tired; the families are going nuts. It's not the solution," he said.

[meegbear]

1. Fox is just doing this to show how foolish these people are ...

these "military intellectuals" just don't have a grasp on the true situation on Iraq like President Bush, the modest military genius he is, does. :sarcasm:

[keta11]

5. You don't know what a military genius that Dumbya is-

Watch next week as he announces he is pulling 10,000 troops out of Afghanistan for the eh Serge in Eye-raq!!!!

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. Not to worry, it'll be different this time. Another 20-40k marines

will do the trick. :eyes:

[babylonsister]

3. But that's not what Hannity said! I get a certain degree of

satisfaction knowing this Cheney's 'go to' channel.
And yes, this admin does seem to be stepping in it more and more; NO ONE thinks this surge is a good idea. Then again, that never stopped them...

[judaspriestess]

4. they are just setting everyone up for the next big announcement

from asshole(s) in office. D-R-A-F-T

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. BINGO

It is going to be done by the executive

by executive order

On the bright side... yes there is a bright side... this will get people who have had nothing to loose so far, beyond shoping that is, on the streets

[ninkasi]

7. It's an outrage

From the article ""Everyone we met was on a second tour, at least, and many were on their fourth or fifth combat tour in either Iraq or Afghanistan. The soldiers are tired; the families are going nuts. It's not the solution," he said."

A man who considers leaving a day early from one of his many vacations, and pouts if he misses riding his bike, is willing to keep these men and women indefinitely in combat, while the troops and their families suffer needlessly. I think, too, about how the life of average Iraqis are being destroyed by living in the hell of war, inflicted on them by Bush's shameful invasion and occupation of another country.

Sacrifice is the idiot's word of the week. Yes, sacrifice, by the rest of us, but not by him, or his family, or the families of the wealthy. To them, the longer the war lasts, the greater their profits will be. Bush is capable of ruining our military, their families, and our nation, if his ego demands it. We need to get our men and women home now. Right now, without any further delays.

[Hubert Flottz]

8. Upholding Bush's War President Image, is more important to

Bush, the GOP and the neocons, than our national security.

[Supersedeas]

11. a legacy to revise

[Rex]

9. Well ya know...

It would take an astoundingly stupid asshole like George to break our modern military...but BY DAM if he ain't gonna try! His failure rate is astronomical!

[alfredo]

10. Best case scenario

The additional troops are to be used to provide protection (a safe corridor) for our withdrawal from Iraq. The ships in the Gulf will provide cover and transport out of the region. I'm not holding my breath.