Labels: Afghanistan, Army, Iraq, Marines, Military, Pakistan
Labels: Afghanistan, Army, Korea, Military
Labels: Afghanistan, Army, iran, Iraq, Military, Pakistan, terrorism
Labels: Afghanistan, Air Force, Army, iran, Iraq, Military, Pakistan
Labels: Afghanistan, Army, iran, Iraq, Korea, Military, Pentagon, PTSD, Russia, warfare
Labels: Afghanistan, Army, Iraq, Military, Pentagon, Taliban
Labels: Afghanistan, Army, Pentagon, VA
Labels: Afghanistan, Army, Headlines, Military
The AP reports that overhauling the U.S. Army National Guard training program, allowing for soldiers to spend more time at home, will cost $128 million this year and nearly double that next year to equip and train their troops, say officials.The boost in funding will pay for the roughly 2,000 Guard trainers to ensure Guard members will receive as much training as possible while at home for much of the year before deploying to one of the 10 mobilization centers for their final, prewar training.Until early 2007, Guard combat brigades were training for up to six months — much of it away from home — and then would spend 12 months to 15 months in the war zone. The average time has been slashed to a bit more than 13 months, including about a month of training at home, another 40 to 70 days at the formal Army training center and roughly 10 months on the battlefront.
Spurred on by the Pentagon's promise that Guard deployments would be limited to one year, military leaders pledged to spread some of the required pre-deployment war preparation into the soldiers' routine weekend and week-long training exercises each year.
Labels: Army, Military, money, National Guard, Pentagon
The AP reports today that Bush's administrative arm, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has rejected a plan to add five generals to oversee monitor and purchasing contractor performance.Putting generals in contracting jobs is believed to bring experience, give the profession clout, and build up talent by showing junior troops that contracting is viable career choice.The war in Iraq exposed major flaws in the Army's contracting abilities, particularly when the buying was done outside the United States. An overworked, under-experienced, and short-handed Army contracting staff was unable to meet the fast-paced demands for supplies and services. Bad deals were made and procurement fraud cases mounted in an environment prone to abuse.
Defense contractors, frequently criticized for war profiteering, complained of being pushed to accept flat-fee arrangements in high-risk combat zones where expenses could soar and confusion existed over what U.S. laws and regulations applied.
