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U.S Army Readiness Wearing Thin

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  • U.S Army Readiness Wearing Thin

    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?

    ---

    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."

    ---

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

  • #2
    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.

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    • #3
      That what happens when you fight a war with peace time manning.
      F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: The Honda Accord of fighters.

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