Forces Are Too Small to Execute 2-MTW Strategy
 

• Had Much Larger Force During War with Iraq, but Still Required 75% of Active Tacair, 42% of MBTs, 46% of Carriers, 37% of Army Personnel, and 46% of Marines

• Took 5 Months to Get Ready and Required Extensive Cannibalization

• Burden of Forward-Deployed Units in SSCs Is Now Higher than in Cold War

Emerging Readiness Problems (Acknowledged in 29 Sept SASC Hearing)
 

• Personnel: Declining Retention - Growing Skill Deficiencies (e.g., Pilots, 2nd Term Enlisted)

• Units: Understrength Combat Units & Undermanned Ships

• Material Condition: Spares Shortfalls, Rising Cannibalization Rates, Growing Depot & RPM Backlogs, Increased Workloads

• Combat Training: Cutbacks, Reduced Realism, Declining Ammo Allowances

• Declining Morale: Frequent Deployments, Increasing Workloads, Quality of Life Leadership Problems (Not Mentioned at Hearing) and The Wedge of Mistrust