Bush Announces Global Posture Changes Over Next Decade
By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2004 – The United States will redistribute forces now
stationed at overseas locations "where the wars of the last century ended,"
President Bush announced in Cincinnati today.
The president's announcement came during an address to the national convention
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
"The world has changed a great deal," Bush said, "and our posture must change
with it for the sake of our military families, for the sake of our taxpayers,
and so we can be more effective at projecting our strength and spreading
freedom and peace."
America's current force posture in Europe, Bush explained, was designed to
guard against Soviet aggression. "The threat no longer exists," he said.
The decision to redistribute forces comes after three years of study and
consultations, Bush said. "We've consulted closely with our allies and with
Congress. We've examined the challenges posed by today's threats and emerging
threats." The result, he said, will be "a more agile and flexible force."
As the new global posture takes shape over the next 10 years, Bush said, more
U.S. troops will be stationed at, and deployed from, home bases in the United
States.
"We'll move some of our troops and capabilities to new locations so they can
surge quickly to deal with unexpected threats," Bush said. "We'll take
advantage of 21st century military technologies to rapidly deploy increased
combat power."
The new plan, the president said, will strengthen U.S. alliances and build new
partnerships around the world, and will reduce stress on military people and
their families.
"Although we'll still have a significant presence overseas, under the plan I'm
announcing today, over the next 10 years we will bring home about 60,000 to
70,000 uniformed personnel and about 100,000 family members and civilian
employees."
This, he explained, would give servicemembers more time on the home front, as
well as more predictability and fewer moves over a career.
"Our military spouses will have fewer job changes, greater stability, more time
for their kids and to spend time with their families at home," he added.
Taxpayers will benefit from cost savings realized by closing obsolete overseas
bases and facilities, the president said.
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