Boost in Army personnel strength not needed, official says

Despite the planned reduction of U.S. combat forces in Iraq, the next 12-18 months will be difficult for the Army because the rapid buildup in Afghanistan will result in an increase in the number of deployed soldiers, Gen. George Casey said Tuesday.

Despite that increased pressure on a force strained from more than seven years of war, the Army chief of staff did not embrace an offer from a senior Senate Armed Services Committee member to boost his authorized personnel strength by 30,000.

Casey and Army Secretary Pete Geren said the Army would be able to provide the additional forces needed during the transition from Iraq to Afghanistan, because it has slightly exceeded its authorized limit of 547,000 soldiers, a year ahead of schedule.

Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., noted that nearly 30,000 soldiers are not deployable because they are recovering from serious wounds. He asked Casey if Congress should authorize the Army to exceed its personnel limit to meet the growing demand. The general said it "certainly would be better if we had a troop increase next year," but he did not want a permanent increase in the authorized personnel strength, citing the additional cost of $1 billion. Lieberman said he has proposed legislation to allow the Army to add 30,000 soldiers and "we hope to give you that authority."

Personnel issues were a major focus of the committee's questions, with senators asking about the stress on the Army, indicated by the rising number of suicides and the recent slaying of five service members in Iraq by a soldier receiving mental health screening.

The senators also appeared to be anticipating a personnel change at the top of the Army, with half a dozen expressing appreciation for Geren's service and commenting that this would be his last appearance before them. President Obama is expected to nominate, perhaps this week, a replacement for Geren, who was selected by former President George W. Bush and agreed to remain after the transition.

Senators questioned the Army leaders on Defense Secretary Robert Gates' decision to stop the largest piece of the huge Future Combat Systems program -- the manned ground vehicles. Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., asked if Casey supported Gates' decision that the design for the vehicles did not incorporate the lessons of Iraq, where most of the casualties occurred because current vehicles could not resist the improvised explosive devices.

"I supported it, but I didn't agree," Casey said, noting that the Army had changed the design of the FCS vehicles to improve their ability to withstand IEDs.

Armed Services Committee ranking member John McCain, R-Ariz., criticized the FCS program as an example of a flawed acquisition program, saying the 45 percent increase in cost was the result of bad planning or bad management. Casey said it also could reflect the fact that the vehicle design had been changed to reflect changing combat conditions.