Size of the US Military

[Salty]

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.

 

[Don]

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

Unable to answer that question without knowing the goals. For example, are we still going on the National Defense Strategy of fighting two major conflicts in two different locations? If so, then the numbers are probably about right.

If we're going on an NDS of "surgical/precision strikes," with heavy emphasis on use of Special Forces -- then no, we're overloaded.

So what's the current (or proposed) NDS, and then we can talk about the numbers.

 

[Salty]

Unable to answer that question without knowing the goals. For example, are we still going on the National Defense Strategy of fighting two major conflicts in two different locations? If so, then the numbers are probably about right.

If we're going on an NDS of "surgical/precision strikes," with heavy emphasis on use of Special Forces -- then no, we're overloaded.

So what's the current (or proposed) NDS, and then we can talk about the numbers.

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.

 

[carpro]

Question: Out of the Army's 541,000, How many are front line combat troops? Is the ratio still 7:1 support:combat?

Isn't the Army scheduled for further drawdowns until, finally, they are smaller than pre WWII levels?