Size of the US Military

As of 2011 of the US military includes:

BRANCH................ACTIVE...............RESERVE.........GUARD
ARMY...................541,000..................198,000............342,000
AIR FORCE..........333,000...................69,000.............105,000
USMC..................195,000....................38,000............. none
NAVY...................317,000....................57.000............... none*
COAST GUARD....42,000......................7,000.................none

TOTAL...............1,428,000......................369,000........447,000
In addition there are about 700,00 civilians employees of DOD
* some states do have a naval militia

The US Army has 10 active Divisions and 8 Reserve / NG Divisions
in addition there are 11 active duty regiments

So here is the question:
Are the current numbers too low, too high or just about right.

If you are from a different Service - please give some stats on ships, aircraft, ect.

 

You bring up a good point - what should be the goal.
But the problem is we do not know what situation might arise.

Back during the Gulf war - several units were set for deactivation - but due to the War - deactivation was delayed.

Same thing has happen after every major conflict - staring with the American Revolution - decrease the military. Only to have the next conflict come - and we were not properly prepared.

Granted, after WW II with nearly 100 Army and 6 USMC Divisions - some down sizing was
necessary.

However IMHO - we have decreased too much. I would suggest about 18 Division sized units for Active Duty - and about 10 for the National Guard.

One other thing - the Army is moving more to a Brigade size fighting unit - With an average of 3 Brigades per division - than we should have about 60 Brigades.

now as a sub subject - Each Brigade should carry a division size linage.
For Example - at Fort Hood, Texas - we currently have the First CAV Division.
Under my plan - First Brigade would have the linage (and wear unit patch of ) the CAV,
Second BDE could be the 2nd Armored Division, the Third Bde could be the 5th Inf Division, ect.

In the event that addition full size divisions were needed - then those BDE would become the newly re-activated divisions.