NATIONAL BRIEFING / WASHINGTON, D.C.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced that the size of the Army will be increased temporarily by 22,000 soldiers to help meet the needs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other missions.
This is the second time since 2007 that the military has determined it doesn’t have a large enough force. Gates had already increased the size of the Army and Marine Corps.
The Army currently has a total troop strength of 547,000, including 65,000 soldiers who were added in recent years.
Gates said he would not seek additional money for the extra troops in the 2009 and 2010 fiscal year budgets.
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