US Army Is Short of Soldiers

US Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker says that because of the war in Iraq the US Army is facing great difficulties in meeting the target figures for enlisting recruits to the army this year, while a still more serious situation is expected next year.

At a hearing in the Senate Commission for the affairs of the armed forces, Gen. P. Schoomaker said that by this date the enlistment response was 7800 shorter than the target figure, therefore only 84 percent of the yearly plan was fulfilled. It would be hardly possible to enlist 80 thousand recruits by the next September 30, the deadline for this year's enlistment, he said.

Gen. P. Schoomaker put part of the blame for the difficulties in enlisting new recruits to the army on the US military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. He stressed the importance of realizing the pressure exerted on the army, servicemen and their families by the wars currently waged by the USA.

According to the US Ministry of Defense, during the 4 months of this year, from February to May inclusive, the army has been failing to meet the planned enlistment figures.