NELSON PRESSES PENTAGON ON MARINE CORPS END STRENGTH

Nebraska’s Senator Asks Brass to Explain Why Troop Level in QDR is below Marine Corps Recommendation

Pentagon leaders were questioned today about discrepancies between the Marine Corps Commandant’s recommended end strength for the Marine Corps and the lower troop level proposed in the Pentagon’s quadrennial review of military operations.

Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson, the Ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, asked Pentagon leaders about the discrepancy during a hearing before the panel today.

The recently released Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) proposes to stabilize the Marine Corps’ end strength at 175,000 Active and 39,000 Reserve Component personnel by Fiscal Year 2011.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps, however, has recently publicly stated that the Marine Corps’ end strength should not be reduced below 180,000 Marines. InsideDefense.com reported on February 22 that Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael Hagee, who disputes the Quadrennial Defense Review's recommendation to slash the Marine’s end strength by 5,000 Marines, is launching his own study to re-examine the issue.

“Did the Marine Corps provide input to the QDR regarding the desired end strength for the Marine Corps? If so, what did the Marine Corps request? What has changed since the Marine Corps provided this input?” Nelson asked Lieutenant General H. P. Osman, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs for the United States Marine Corps.

General Osman responded that the Commandant did provide input for the QDR but his answer did not directly address the type of input. General Osman did state that the current end strength is 180,000 Marines.

Nelson then asked Dr. David S. C. Chu, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, if the lower end strength number for the Marines in the QDR was a “budget cutting proposal.” Dr. Chu denied it was an effort to cut the Marines’ budget but indicated that there were other “needs” beside troops, including equipment needs that require the Pentagon’s attention.

The answers did not satisfy Senator Nelson.

“Although I asked the question, we still do not have an answer. We know the current assessment is that the Marine Corps requires end strength troops of 180,000. And the Commandant publicly stated his uncertainty about going below that number. I don’t want the Marine Corps to have one less Marine than they need. If more money is needed for equipment, the Pentagon should come to Congress and ask for the money,” Nelson said after the hearing.

Earlier this year, Ben Nelson led the effort to push the Pentagon to meet its obligations to the National Guard by fully funding its troop levels and dedicating resources to replace missing and damaged equipment, a situation that threatens the ability of the National Guard to meet its operational requirements around the world and here at home. In February, the Senate adopted a Nelson resolution seeking full funding for personnel and equipment for the National Guard.

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	Press Release	March 1, 2006
NELSON PRESSES PENTAGON ON MARINE CORPS END STRENGTH Nebraska’s Senator Asks Brass to Explain Why Troop Level in QDR is below Marine Corps Recommendation Pentagon leaders were questioned today about discrepancies between the Marine Corps Commandant’s recommended end strength for the Marine Corps and the lower troop level proposed in the Pentagon’s quadrennial review of military operations. Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson, the Ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, asked Pentagon leaders about the discrepancy during a hearing before the panel today. The recently released Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) proposes to stabilize the Marine Corps’ end strength at 175,000 Active and 39,000 Reserve Component personnel by Fiscal Year 2011. The Commandant of the Marine Corps, however, has recently publicly stated that the Marine Corps’ end strength should not be reduced below 180,000 Marines. InsideDefense.com reported on February 22 that Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael Hagee, who disputes the Quadrennial Defense Review's recommendation to slash the Marine’s end strength by 5,000 Marines, is launching his own study to re-examine the issue. “Did the Marine Corps provide input to the QDR regarding the desired end strength for the Marine Corps? If so, what did the Marine Corps request? What has changed since the Marine Corps provided this input?” Nelson asked Lieutenant General H. P. Osman, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs for the United States Marine Corps. General Osman responded that the Commandant did provide input for the QDR but his answer did not directly address the type of input. General Osman did state that the current end strength is 180,000 Marines. Nelson then asked Dr. David S. C. Chu, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, if the lower end strength number for the Marines in the QDR was a “budget cutting proposal.” Dr. Chu denied it was an effort to cut the Marines’ budget but indicated that there were other “needs” beside troops, including equipment needs that require the Pentagon’s attention. The answers did not satisfy Senator Nelson. “Although I asked the question, we still do not have an answer. We know the current assessment is that the Marine Corps requires end strength troops of 180,000. And the Commandant publicly stated his uncertainty about going below that number. I don’t want the Marine Corps to have one less Marine than they need. If more money is needed for equipment, the Pentagon should come to Congress and ask for the money,” Nelson said after the hearing. Earlier this year, Ben Nelson led the effort to push the Pentagon to meet its obligations to the National Guard by fully funding its troop levels and dedicating resources to replace missing and damaged equipment, a situation that threatens the ability of the National Guard to meet its operational requirements around the world and here at home. In February, the Senate adopted a Nelson resolution seeking full funding for personnel and equipment for the National Guard. ###