NYT Corrects Military Numbers
NYT — Corrections
An editorial on June 8 about the Army’s overtaxed combat brigades misstated the number of active-duty combat brigades then in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the total number of such brigades. There were 11 combat brigades in Iraq, not 14, and 1 in Afghanistan, not 2. The Army has 34 combat brigades in all, not 33; 1 was added on May 26. Since the Army can comfortably station no more than about one-third of its combat brigades in front-line positions (including 2 in South Korea), that leaves it roughly 3 brigades short, not 7.
But, other than that, they got the story exactly right.
Why the hell do the reserves get stuck in Iraq and Afghanistan while the regular army is sitting comfortably in Germany and Korea? Reserves should not be used in this way. The Army used draftees to fight the Vietnam war too. It seems Army decision-makers care more about themselves than about the country.
John Doe-
You are sorely minsinformed.
The 1st Armored Division and 1st Infantry Division (the two Divisions stationed in Germany) have both deployed to Iraq. The 1st AD is in the process of a 15 month deployment, while the 1st ID is working on the 12 month special.
Not to mention, the 173 Airborne Brigade from Italy spent 12 months in Iraq.
The 25th Infantry Division from Hawaii are split between Iraq and Afghanistan.
The 501st Infantry from Alaska are currently in Afghanistan.
And a brigade-plus from Korea are preparing for their year long tour in Iraq. That will leave one brigade of US combat troops sitting between the North Koreans and Seoul.
9 out of 10 of the Active Army Divisions are either deployed, or just got home from a deployment. That 10th one, you ask? That’s the 3rd Infantry Division, preparing for a second year long tour in Iraq starting this fall.
Contrary to what you may think, there are no active Army divisions just “sitting around” while the reserves take up all the slack.
Everyone is tapped out.
John Doe-
You are sorely minsinformed.
The 1st Armored Division and 1st Infantry Division (the two Divisions stationed in Germany) have both deployed to Iraq. The 1st AD is in the process of a 15 month deployment, while the 1st ID is working on the 12 month special.
Not to mention, the 173 Airborne Brigade from Italy spent 12 months in Iraq.
The 25th Infantry Division from Hawaii are split between Iraq and Afghanistan.
The 501st Infantry from Alaska are currently in Afghanistan.
And a brigade-plus from Korea are preparing for their year long tour in Iraq. That will leave one brigade of US combat troops sitting between the North Koreans and Seoul.
9 out of 10 of the Active Army Divisions are either deployed, or just got home from a deployment. That 10th one, you ask? That’s the 3rd Infantry Division, preparing for a second year long tour in Iraq starting this fall.
Contrary to what you may think, there are no active Army divisions just “sitting around” while the reserves take up all the slack.
Everyone is tapped out.
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