| Copyright 2007 Colorado Veterans Alliance |
IRAQ CONFLICT COMPROMISES MILITARY READINESS
Since 2001, 1.5 million American service members have served in
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As of June 2007, about 26,000
troops were serving in Afghanistan and 154,000 troops were serving
in Iraq. The forces currently in Iraq or deploying in the next few
months represent half of the Army's combat brigades.
According to military experts from General Colin Powell to former
Defense Secretary Lawrence Korb, years of war and the current
"surge" in Iraq have pushed our military to the breaking point.
Retired Major General Robert Scales has said simply, "We're running
out of soldiers faster than we're running out of warfighting missions."
And General Peter Schoomaker, the Chief of Staff of the United
States Army, warns:
In recent weeks the shortfalls have become apparent even within
Iraq. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, who commands US troops in northern
Iraq, has admitted he does not have enough troops to complete
missions in Diyala.
Facing serious problems with recruitment, the military has been
forced to lower age, education, and aptitude standards for new
recruits, as well as increase enlistment bonuses. The costs of
retention have sky-rocketed. The military has also held 70,000
troops on active duty beyond their expected contract end-dates and
has called up more than 10,000 veterans who have not put on a
uniform in years.
The military now regularly requires troops to serve multiple, extended
combat tours. Over 449,000 troops have served more than one
combat tour, and many have returned to war with only a few months
rest. Active-duty Army combat tours are now 15 months long, with
only half the recommended "dwell time" at home between tours.
According to an Army survey, "soldiers are 50 percent more likely" to
suffer from a mental health problem if they serve multiple tours.
Equipment shortages are also a serious issue, contributing to the
plummeting readiness ratings of Army and Marine units. As of
September 2006, "Roughly one-half of all Army units (deployed and
non-deployed, active and reserves) receive the lowest readiness
rating any fully formed unit can receive."
The overuse of the Guard and Reserve are threatening our ability to
cope with domestic emergencies. About four-fifths of Army Guard
and Reserve units not mobilized received the lowest possible
readiness rating. State officials have expressed grave concerns
about the damage done to our national security. As Kansas
Governor Kathleen Sebelius said after her state was devastated by
tornados:
Continued delay in rebuilding, refreshing and re-supplying the
dangerously overstretched Armed Services only further compromises
the welfare of both civilians at home and our uniformed service
people abroad.
Since 2001, 1.5 million American service members have served in
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As of June 2007, about 26,000
troops were serving in Afghanistan and 154,000 troops were serving
in Iraq. The forces currently in Iraq or deploying in the next few
months represent half of the Army's combat brigades.
According to military experts from General Colin Powell to former
Defense Secretary Lawrence Korb, years of war and the current
"surge" in Iraq have pushed our military to the breaking point.
Retired Major General Robert Scales has said simply, "We're running
out of soldiers faster than we're running out of warfighting missions."
And General Peter Schoomaker, the Chief of Staff of the United
States Army, warns:
- "While our Soldiers are responding with extraordinary
commitment, particularly in the face of adversity and personal
hardships, we cannot allow this condition to persist."
In recent weeks the shortfalls have become apparent even within
Iraq. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, who commands US troops in northern
Iraq, has admitted he does not have enough troops to complete
missions in Diyala.
Facing serious problems with recruitment, the military has been
forced to lower age, education, and aptitude standards for new
recruits, as well as increase enlistment bonuses. The costs of
retention have sky-rocketed. The military has also held 70,000
troops on active duty beyond their expected contract end-dates and
has called up more than 10,000 veterans who have not put on a
uniform in years.
The military now regularly requires troops to serve multiple, extended
combat tours. Over 449,000 troops have served more than one
combat tour, and many have returned to war with only a few months
rest. Active-duty Army combat tours are now 15 months long, with
only half the recommended "dwell time" at home between tours.
According to an Army survey, "soldiers are 50 percent more likely" to
suffer from a mental health problem if they serve multiple tours.
Equipment shortages are also a serious issue, contributing to the
plummeting readiness ratings of Army and Marine units. As of
September 2006, "Roughly one-half of all Army units (deployed and
non-deployed, active and reserves) receive the lowest readiness
rating any fully formed unit can receive."
The overuse of the Guard and Reserve are threatening our ability to
cope with domestic emergencies. About four-fifths of Army Guard
and Reserve units not mobilized received the lowest possible
readiness rating. State officials have expressed grave concerns
about the damage done to our national security. As Kansas
Governor Kathleen Sebelius said after her state was devastated by
tornados:
- "Fifty percent of our trucks are gone. Our front loaders are
gone. We are missing Humvees that move people. We can't
borrow them from other states because their equipment is
gone. It's a huge issue for states across the country."
Continued delay in rebuilding, refreshing and re-supplying the
dangerously overstretched Armed Services only further compromises
the welfare of both civilians at home and our uniformed service
people abroad.
| Our Mission: To ensure the enactment of policies that properly provide for our Troops and Veterans, keep our military strong, and guarantee our national security for the purpose of a stronger America. CVA uniquely empowers Veterans to use their credibility and experiences to speak truth to power, shape public opinion, and place a priority on these issues. |
| COLORADO VETERANS ALLIANCE |
| "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive how the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation." - George Washington |
