Temporary End-Strength Increase

By Gregory Daniel, G-1July 23, 2009

Temporary End-Strength Increase

What is it'

Earlier this week, the Secretary of Defense authorized a temporary increase of up to 22,000 Soldiers for the active Army. This temporary end-strength increase will reduce the stress and strain on the force by ensuring all deploying units are filled appropriately. The Army welcomes the additional Soldiers, as it faces a period of transitioning global commitments, an increased number of non-deployable Soldiers and the impending end of stop loss. The temporary end-strength increase will improve unit readiness by January 2010 and will last for several years before regressing back to its current level of 547,400.

Why is it important to the Army'

The temporary end-strength increase enables the Army to deploy all units at 90 percent with a goal of approximately 95 percent strength, while allowing our reset forces to properly man, equip and train future deploying units. The growth of the force will sustain our Soldiers and families, prepare deploying Soldiers for their missions and reset returning Soldiers once they come home. The temporary end-strength increase will transform our Army over the next two years as we move closer to our objective of being back in balance by 2011.

What is the Army doing'

The Army will immediately implement the temporary end-strength increase by adjusting its recruiting and retention missions. The additional Soldiers will fill authorizations currently empty due to non-deployables and other demands, but will not add any force structure to the Army. The majority of the new endstrength will be enlisted Soldiers, but the officer ranks will also experience an increase.

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Related article: <a href=" http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/07/21/24678-gates-calls-for-increase-of-22000-soldiers/" target="_blank"> Gates calls for increase of 22,000 Soldiers </a>