Where Will Bush's 'Surge' Come From? Is A Draft On The Way?

[Blackhatjack]

The military brass tell Bush there are only 9,000 troops available for a 'surge'(7500 Army and 1500 Marines). Bush intends to announce Wednesday Night a 'surge' of 20-30,000 thousand troops into Iraq.

Ok, where does Bush find the needed troops to 'surge' 20-30,000?

Some have speculated that the number 20-30,000 will include 'holding over' soldiers set to return to the US. However, 'holding over' or 'stop loss' orders do not 'increase' the number of troops on the ground.

Everyone with a shred of credibility left in the Pentagon has told Bush this is a bad idea, will not work and likely will make things worse rather than better.

So where do the extra troops needed to populate Bush's 'surge' come from?

Does anyone believe that a 'draft' is not one of the options on the table?

[MADem]

1. From AFGHANISTAN... NT

[DrewL]

2. Holding over

If you do hold over troops scheduled to be returned to the US you do increase the force on the ground because the people meant to replace them come over as well. So instead of keeping the number of people constant you get an increase.

[TomInTib]

4. That is exactly it, DrewL...

Since we are able to train maybe 3000 combat troops per year, the increase will come from holding over 20,000 exhausted troops.

And welcome to DU, DrewL.

[newyawker99]

9. Hi DrewL!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[k8conant]

3. From the Freepers...n/t

[soothsayer]

5. What's this I've heard about the Brits wanting to draft up to age 55?

Anyone else hear that noise?

[uppityperson]

6. What are numbers on Reserves and Ntl Guard left in the USA?

Let's send them all over there so they cannot protect over here from even natural disasters or fires.

[uppityperson]

7. Here is a link to a story where.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-troops9jan09,0,5874521.story?coll=la-home-headlines
Top U.S. military officials, expecting President Bush to order an increase in the size of the force in Iraq, have concluded that such a buildup would require them to reverse Pentagon policy and send the Army's National Guard and reserve units on lengthy second tours in Iraq, defense officials said Monday.

Under Pentagon policy, guard and reserve units have been limited to 24 months of mobilization for the Iraq war. Under that rule, most reserve units already sent to Iraq are ineligible to return.

But the Joint Chiefs of Staff have concluded that a significant buildup would require the Pentagon to overturn the policy and send Guard and reserve units for additional year-long tours.

Such an order likely would be controversial among state governors, who share authority over the Guard, and could heighten concerns in Congress over the war and Bush's plans for a troop increase.

In addition, National Guard leaders also are skeptical of calls for additional combat tours, which they fear could hurt recruiting and retention.

[B Calm]

8. The surge will come by extending the soldiers due to come home.