Failing the Troops

Center for American Progress Senior Fellow Larry Korb discussed in front of a panel that included retired generals and academics, his view on the current and future state of the military.

“Not since the aftermath of the Vietnam War has the U.S. Army been so depleted,”

“The simple fact is that the United States currently does not have enough troops who are ready and available for potential contingency missions in Iran, North Korea, or anywhere else.”

General Barry R. McCaffrey stated:

“I’m offended when I hear the Army is in trouble. It’s not the Army. It’s the American people."

“We wrecked the Army coming out of Vietnam; it took 10 years to recover. We are not going to get 10 years with this war.”

“If you had a draft right now, you would no longer be in Iraq. The American people would say no,” Korb warned. “If the people are not willing to send their sons and daughters, we have to think very carefully about what we’re doing.”

I believe Korb brought up a good point, if there was a draft today...how many people would support it? There is definatly somthing wrong when the American people do not believe in what we are still fighting for and are not willing to support or follow through with a draft.

Don't get me wrong, I support our country and our troops...but is this more a political war? Too many people have given up their lives due to this war and we still are uncertain if this outcome will ever become positive. Like McCaffrey stated, we are never going to get 10 years out of this war.