From The Christian Science Monitor, 1/14/04:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0114/p08s03-comv.html
An Army Stretched Thin
The limits of America's volunteer army are showing, revealing a need
to rethink this country's troop levels.
To keep enough forces in the hot spots of Afghanistan and Iraq, the
Army this month blocked the pending reassignment or retirement of
7,000 soldiers from the region.
It also offered bonuses of up to $10,000 (tax free) to encourage
active-duty personnel deployed in the area or headed to it to
re-enlist.
This on top of the largest deployment of Reserve and National Guard
units since World War II.
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For the attention of those born 1980 through 1991 :
You will be 18 through 25 years old, during the period 2005 through 2009.
You are at very high risk of being drafted into Bush's military.
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At the same time, precisely because the forces in Iraq are volunteers
whom the Pentagon wants to return to their families by the end of May,
a massive troop rotation is under way that could increase the danger
for those on the ground.
Normally, a significant number of units would be left behind for
continuity's sake, but almost the entire battle force in Iraq is being
replaced.
Troops and equipment clogging the highways and airways make ripe
targets for enemy attack.
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Danger to our troops doesn't seem to be a Bush concern.
Harry
.
