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WASHINGTON – Today Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) along with Senators Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) sent a letter to President Bush urging him to reject any proposal that will cut the number of troops in the Army-whether active duty, Guard or Reserve. The letter was sent in response to reports in recent weeks that the Department of Defense plans to cut National Guard brigades and slow or cap growth in Army end strength. Kerry and his colleagues urge President Bush to grow the active duty ground force while preserving the reserve component to keep the American military strong.
Below is a copy of the letter.
February 3, 2006
President George W. Bush The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
In recent weeks, we have seen reports that the Department of Defense plans to cut Army National Guard brigades and slow the growth of the active duty Army. Any policy that cuts Army end strength, even planned end strength, may undermine the military’s capacity to accomplish the missions it might face in coming years.
Over the last several years, a bipartisan consensus has emerged on Capitol Hill recognizing that the United States requires a force large enough to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. Our national experience in the last several years has demonstrated beyond a doubt the enduring value of a well trained, well equipped, highly motivated infantry large enough to meet the demands of operations from homeland defense to stability operations and high-intensity combat.
Active and reserve component members of the Army and the Marine Corps continue to serve magnificently in Iraq and Afghanistan and in countless other places around the world. Many have made, and will make, multiple deployments to combat zones. In the aftermath of the Gulf Coast hurricanes, tens of thousands of troops were mobilized to meet the needs of devastated communities at home. Every day we are reminded of the valor, the courage, and the commitment of the men and women of the American military. They embody all that is right with America—and we need more of them.
The War on Terror and the challenges of the new century will put a premium on our ability to execute missions that are man-power intensive—from providing stability and security in post-conflict situations to training foreign militaries and hunting down the terrorist cells and leaders who would harm America. In each of these missions, there is no technological substitute for boots on the ground.
We believe it is essential to reshape and transform the American military for the challenges we face today and will face tomorrow. Accordingly, we urge you to reject any proposal that reduces the number of soldiers and Marines in uniform and include in your FY2007 budget request funds to continue to grow the active duty ground force while preserving the experience and expertise found in the reserve component.
Sincerely, John F. Kerry Chuck Hagel Jack Reed Joseph I. Lieberman
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