Non-Subscriber ExtractGates increases US Army end strength |
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By Daniel Wasserbly
23 July 2009
The Pentagon has approved plans to temporarily increase the size of the US Army by 22,000 soldiers, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced on 20 July.
This troop increase will be added to the authorised permanent end strength of 547,000 active-duty soldiers to reach a total 'temporary end strength' of 569,000 active-duty soldiers, Gates told reporters during a press briefing.
"Additional forces will be used to ensure that our deploying units are properly manned and not to create new combat formations," he said.
The increase in personnel is intended only for a period of three fiscal years and stems from recommendations of outgoing Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and Army Chief of Staff General George Casey. The plan also enjoys "President [Barack] Obama's strong support", Gates added.