Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

August 30, 2008 3:47:32 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Iraq Is Breaking the Army

Posted Apr 6, 07 8:47 AM CDT in US,  World 

(Newser) – The U.S. Army is stretched so thin in Iraq and Afghanistan that it's sending ill-prepared and ill-equipped young people into harm’s way, Time reports. And the surge in troops is only deepening the crisis: Two of the five new brigades bound for the Middle East will skip vital situational training in the Mojave Desert.

The administration brushes off the problem: "They can get desert training elsewhere," Tony Snow said in February, "like in Iraq." But truncated preparation is only the beginning. Recycled gear is deteriorating faster, morale is crashing, and the quality of recruits is sinking.  "I love the Army," one long-time soldier tells Time, "but I hate this war."

Source Time

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Petraeus Sees No New Troop Buildup in Iraq

    Apr 9, 08 8:44 CDT
    Gen. David H. Petraeus told the House Armed Forces Committee today that he does not foresee another buildup of US armed forces in Iraq, calling the possibility of a new surge "a pretty remote thought in my mind." If violences escalates again, the Army will make do with American and Iraqi troops already there, the Washington Post reports. His testimony comes a day before President Bush will lay out his troop strategy. More »

  • Iraq Tours to Cut by 3 Months This Summer

    Feb 20, 08 10:34 AM CST
    Iraq Tours to Cut by 3 Months This Summer American soldiers deployed to Iraq this summer will likely serve shorter tours, the AP reports. Soldiers at war today are serving 15 months and coming home for a year before going back to Iraq for another tour. War tours are expected to be shortened to 12 months for units leaving in early August, said the Army's top general. More »

  • Army Desertion Rate High and Getting Higher

    Nov 16, 07 6:09 CST
    Army Desertion Rate High and Getting Higher The Army desertion rate for 2007 is up 43% over last year and a whopping 80% since the 2003 Iraq invasion, figures out today show. The rate is the highest since 1980, the AP reports. Moreover, it's increasing: Nearly two-thirds of this year's desertions were in the second half of the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, Army Times reports. More »

  • Army Can't Sustain Troop Demand in Iraq

    Aug 20, 07 3:28 AM CDT
    Army Can't Sustain Troop Demand in Iraq With nearly all its forces exhausted, the US Army will have to break some promises to sustain the current troop buildup through spring, according to new documents acquired by AP. The Army would have to extend tours, reduce rest, or accelerate use of National Guard members to maintain current levels—all options a war-weary Congress would like to avoid. More »

  • Army Suicides Climb; Rate Highest in 26 Years

    Aug 16, 07 10:18 AM CDT
    Army Suicides Climb; Rate Highest in 26 Years American soldiers are killing themselves at the highest rate since the Persian Gulf War, the AP reports. Statistics out today show 99 active-duty soldiers committed suicide in 2006, both the highest single number and the highest rate per deployed since 1991. The problem was worst in Iraq, the most common deployment location for attempts and suicides. More »

In this photo released by the Department of Defense Wednesday, March 28, 2007, U.S. Army soldiers evacuate a wounded soldier during operations to eliminate insurgents in Qubbah, Iraq, March 24, 2007....   (Associated Press)
U.S. soldiers of B Company, 4th Infantry Regiment and Afghan National Army soldier carry a wounded soldier after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off near Daychopan village in Zabul province,...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Threads (1 of 2)

Tags

Iraq  • Iraq war  • US Army  • troop surge  • American troops  • soldier  • training  • John Abizaid


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »