, WASHINGTON: The active-duty Army will grow by 65,000 personnel over the next five years, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said during a White House news conference today.
“The President announced last night that he would strengthen our military for the long war against terrorism by authorizing an increase in the overall strength of the Army and Marine Corps,” Gates said. “I am recommending to him a total increase in the two services of 92,000 soldiers and Marines over the next five years.”
The increase will make permanent the 30,000 temporary increase in Army end-strength. The service will then increase in annual increments of 7,000.
The Army has a current end-strength of 512,400. Under Gates' proposal, the Army's end-strength will grow to 547,000.
“We should recognize that while it may take some time for these new troops to become available for deployment, it is important that our men and women in uniform know that additional manpower and resources are on the way,” Gates said.
The increase will give soldiers more “dwell time” at home, officials said. Currently, units are on close to a one-to-one deployment to dwell-time schedule. The increase in end-strength will reduce the stress on deployable active-duty personnel.
Army officials say the service cannot grow forces overnight. The active-duty Army currently recruits 80,000 young Americans each year.
According to recruiting officials, only three of 10 young men and women in the 19-to-24-year-old age group meet enlistment standards. More recruiters and additional incentives may be needed to encourage those who qualify to enlist.
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