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Iraq Is Breaking the Army

Inadequate training, gear, hobbles troops

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 6, 2007 8:47 AM CDT

(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."

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)

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Inadequate training, gear, hobbles troops

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Iraq Tours to Cut by 3 Months This Summer

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Pentagon: troops are out of line with "soldier's rules"

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Inadequate training, gear, hobbles troops

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

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

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Iraq Tours to Cut by 3 Months This Summer

Top Army general plans to return to yearlong stints

Army Can't Sustain Troop Demand in Iraq

Not enough soldiers to support surge through spring

14 Troops Killed in 2 Days

5 soldiers dead after roadside bomb explosion; death toll hits 3,545

G.I.'s Disillusioned About the War

Soldiers from 82nd Airborne say they favor withdrawal

Troops Bomb Ethics Test

Pentagon: troops are out of line with "soldier's rules"

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?