Defense Department to cut Army to pre-WW II size
WASHINGTON D.C. — Since 9/11, the U.S. Military has bulked up its resources enabling it to wage wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and a global war on terror. Now, in a carefully-crafted plan announced Monday at the Pentagon, the military says it will scale back to force levels not seen since before WWII. The details: –The Army will reduce its forces from a high of 570,000 to around 450,000 troops. –The Marine Corps will cut its forces by 8,000, or about 4 percent. –And the elimination of the a-10 warthog attack jet, which would save $3.5 billion over 5 years. The cuts not only reflect a changing political climate, but also an evolution in how the military engages its enemies. Case in point: cyberwarfare and special operations will not be impacted. Critics argue fewer resources will leave the U.S. More vulnerable to attacks at home and abroad. Hagel recognized these cuts do not come without uncertainty. The Pentagon will present its plan to Congress next week.
