Conflict After Iraq as Regards Troops

[SlowwHand]

I don't think anyone thinks all the troops will come home after we leave Iraq. It's more of a "Where now?" type deal.
Tours of duty in remote areas was just increased from 1 year to 1 1/2 years. National Guard and Reserves have been called up.

Here's the question, then I have to go back to work.

Where and how do you think they'll get new troops?

[snoopy369]

Volunteers? From Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas, ... ... ...

[Wycoff]

We might see an American foreign legion if things get particularly bad. That would be more likely than a draft, IMO.

[Zkribbler]

The U.S. currently has 120,000 "contractors" in Iraq, including 40,000 engaged in combat (i.e. mercenaries). According to the author of "Blackwater," these mercs get paid $30,000 per month. We could get rid of the mercs (and the rest of the contractors) and use the savings to raise the salaries of our military people.

One potential recruits see that they aren't going to be sent off to a place where we aren't wanted (Iraq) but are instead going to be sent after al Qaeda and Taliban troops, and once they see there's better pay, enlistments will go back up.

[Victor Galis]

They could also just hire cheaper mercs from among the locals and accept higher casualty rates.

[SlowwHand]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
The U.S. currently has 120,000 "contractors" in Iraq, including 40,000 engaged in combat (i.e. mercenaries). According to the author of "Blackwater," these mercs get paid $30,000 per month. We could get rid of the mercs (and the rest of the contractors) and use the savings to raise the salaries of our military people.

That's one fine idea.

[Aeson]

GDR

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Aeson
GDR

We're going to send troops back in time and invade East Germany?

Makes as much sense as Iraq, I suppose...

[Aeson]

I'm afraid it actually makes much less sense than East Germany. (GDR that is.) But the sense it makes is oh so awesome.

[Straybow]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
The U.S. currently has 120,000 "contractors" in Iraq, including 40,000 engaged in combat (i.e. mercenaries). According to the author of "Blackwater," these mercs get paid $30,000 per month. We could get rid of the mercs (and the rest of the contractors) and use the savings to raise the salaries of our military people.

Except we can't put soldiers under civilian command for private security, which is where all those mercs are.

On[c]e potential recruits see that they aren't going to be sent off to a place where we aren't wanted (Iraq) but are instead going to be sent after al Qaeda and Taliban troops, and once they see there's better pay, enlistments will go back up.

Maybe, maybe not. What mythical country harbors AQ and "wants" the US troops???

[Patroklos]

According to the author of "Blackwater," these mercs get paid $30,000 per month. We could get rid of the mercs (and the rest of the contractors) and use the savings to raise the salaries of our military people.

Some get that much, like say the retired Army Ranger Master Sergant you covinced to come back. People forget that almost every Blackwater person (all the ones I have met in fact, and I have been the NC HQ for training) are ex military. Usually the better ones that find their military training is still marketable.