canoe

I've noticed this is starting to make headlines more often. I first read about it maybe 3-4 months ago but it seems to be getting into the headlines alot now and becoming more urgent.

Given the current U.S commitments abroad currently the U.S Army appears to be stretched too thin. Reported readiness rates for active duty army units are declining and are now reaching a point where unless significant changes are made the current deployment rates will reach unsustainable levels.

Using more Reserves and National Guard could offset the shortfall somewhat but its apparent that unless there is a significant increase in funding to the Army, particularly to deal with equipment shortfalls the Army will begin to experence major gaps in readiness and equipment availability for active operations.

How long can the Army keep this up without major changes?

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Some quotes (I'll post the links at the bottom):
"The likelihood that many Army combat and support units scheduled to
deploy to Iraq in 2007 will have less than the required one year period
for rest and re-training. This is one of the key indicators that lead
many Army officials to conclude that current deployment rates cannot
be sustained without breaking the force."

"The lowest readiness levels for the vast majority of non-deployed
active-duty combat units. The situation for the Army Guard and
Reserves is worse."

"Thousands of key Army weapons platforms – such as tanks,
Humvees, Bradley Fighting Vehicles – sitting in disuse at Army
maintenance depots for lack of funding."

"In fact it’s quite likely that Army combat units preparing for the
next rotation (07-09) will be “short-cycled”; that is, units will
be forced to return to battle with less than one year’s time to
recuperate, reset, and train. For example, the 3rd brigade of the
3rd Infantry Division returned from Iraq in February of this
year. Prior to the last deployment it had a 16-month
preparation period. The brigade now expects to receive its
“prepare to deploy” orders within roughly the next 3 months,
which would force the brigade to curtail training and eliminate
leave for its soldiers."

"The situation for the Army’s combat support and combat
service support units (CS/CSS), such as military police and
civil affairs, is worse. Manned mostly by the Guard and
Reserve, the Army has been forced to cobble together CS/CSS
units in order to meet theater deployment requirements. Since
January of 2005, roughly three-quarters of all CS/CSS units
deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan were augmented with Army
personnel pulled from other units, personnel trained for other
jobs, personnel from other military services or, increasingly,
private contractors."

"Of particular concern is the readiness rates of the units
scheduled to deploy later this year, particularly the 1st Cavalry
Division. This division and its 4 brigades will deploy to Iraq in
October at the lowest level of readiness because of equipment
shortfalls. To meet its needs, this unit – like virtually all other
units that have recently deployed or will soon deploy to Iraq –
must fall-in on equipment in theater. Operating unfamiliar,
battle weary equipment increases the potential for casualties
and accidents."

"Funding shortfalls have created backlogs at all of the Army’s
key depot maintenance facilities. At Anniston Army Depot in
Alabama, some 600 M1 tanks sit in disuse. At Red River Army
Depot in Texas, 700 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and over 450
trucks have not been serviced. Roughly 2,600 Humvees are
sitting idle at various Army depots. Tens of thousands of small
arms, communications sets, and other key items have been
similarly backlogged."

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http://www.slate.com/id/2149684/fr/rss/
http://www.democraticleader.house.go...lReadiness.pdf
http://www.defensetech.org/

Maxor

I agree with alot of what is said about rapid redeployments wearing on units very quickly....

No longer uptodate with any army units so can't comment based on personal statements about actual readiness.....

I do have to say that if I was a unit commander I'd be sure that my units readiness reports were all stamped with a nifty red confidential stamp so that they wouldn't make headlines and end up in the hands of those who would want to hit the units least ready for casualty purposes.

BenRoethig

That what happens when you fight a war with peace time manning.

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F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: The Honda Accord of fighters.