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Future Of Army End Strength

Future of the Army End Strength
The Army has gone through some major changes since the end of the Cold War and the events of September 11th.   Though the Force structure, doctrine, and capabilities did not have any significant changes between Gulf War I and Gulf War II, we learned quickly that the enemy we now face in Iraq and Afghanistan is far different from the one we faced in Kuwait and Iraq in the 1990s.   The Army has seen major transformation in the last 5 years as a result of these new challenges and enemy tactics.   One of the major challenges is the requirement to grow the force.   The new missions and technological advancements have caused the Army to increase manpower.   The Army has shifted many wartime requirements to the civilian sector so Soldiers can fill the increased war-fighting billet requirements.   The war, the requirement to maintain a large military, and the need for a contracting force is very costly to the US government.   So what should the Army do with its end strength when we are finally done with this war?   As a result of this issue, I have two concerns and one answer.   First, future potential hotspots, adversaries, and missions that the Army will have to support globally are variables that will greatly influence the Army’s capabilities and strength.   Secondly, it is difficult to determine what the end strength will be because we cannot base it on the current conflict.   Either way, I believe the solution to managing the Army’s end strength lies in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard.
In the foreseeable future, we should expect to be involved in conflict in the Middle East.   Energy is vital to the western culture and economy so it is in our best interest to prevent the establishment of rogue states in that region while trying to maintain allies in that region.   Until we develop alternative energy to offset our requirement for foreign oil, we will be involved in the Middle East.   As long as we are involved in the Middle East we will...