Army plans to grow force by six brigades

[spindrifter]

By Matthew Cox - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Jan 13, 2007 7:01:27 EST

The Army will use the 35,000 soldiers it has been authorized to add to its end strength to build up to six additional brigades, a senior military official told reporters during a briefing today at the Pentagon.

The official, who spoke on condition that he remain anonymous, said it has yet to be determined exactly what elements would be included in the new units. For example, he said, Army leaders may decide to use some of the newly authorized manpower to add engineer units and other support units to its force rather than brigades comprised solely of combat-arms troops.

“The guidance is we want to focus this over time to build combat capability first, and in my mind combat capability is brigade combat teams, and the requisite balance of combat service and support and combat support that goes with that,” the official said.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Jan. 11 his approval for the Army to make permanent its temporary end-strength increase of 30,000 soldiers — for a total of 512,000 active-duty troops — and add another 35,000 officers and enlisted. The Army plans to add 7,000 troops a year for five years, resulting in a force of 547,000 soldiers by 2012.

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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/01/atbrigades070112/

[knitter4democracy]

1. Where from?

They're having recruiting issues. Where are they getting these troops from?

[peacebird]

2. maybe they expect the "booming" economy to deliver them some cannon fodder...

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Just a hunch

draft by executive order

[knitter4democracy]

4. I've wondered that myself.

It's the only way to fill all the orders of the neocons.