Army Chief of Staff Recommends More Troops In Afghanistan
By Debbie Gregory.
General Mark Milley, the Army Chief of Staff, said he supports additional troops in Afghanistan. He also supports a residual force in Iraq. General Milley has not yet decided on whether or not to send more troops to South Korea.
General Milley was asked these questions by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) during a Senate Appropriations hearing on defense this week
The Army has requested $166.1 billion for 2018 for a total force of 1,018,000, including 476,000 active duty soldiers. The focus is on combat readiness.
The Army also has a $12.7 billion wish list that was sent to Congress, asking for 17,000 additional troops. There is $3.1 billion to pay for training, sustaining, housing and equipment for these extra troops.
Milley believes that the Army should be a force of 550,000 strong, the Army National Guard should be an end strength of 355,00, and 209,000 soldiers in the Army Reserve.
What do you think?
