*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) ARLINGTON, VA - July 20, 2009: Defense Secretary Robert Gates has announced that the size of the Army is being increased by 22,000 to help meet deployment needs around the world. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen participate in a briefing at the Pentagon on July 20, 2009 in Arlington, Virginia. Secretary Gates announced plans to temporarily expand the U.S. Army by adding 22,000 new active duty troops.
Gates made the disclosure Monday at a news conference at the Pentagon where he was joined by the chairman of the military Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen. The Army currently has a total troop strength of 547,000.
Gates said the military, with President Barack Obama's backing, decided that because of the continuing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and political turmoil in Pakistan, the Pentagon's ability to fill vacancies was "at risk."
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