Current plan calls for US troops in Iraq 'till 2010

[mburbank]

Army: Troops to Stay in Iraq Until 2010
By Lolita C. Baldor
The Associated Press

Wednesday 11 October 2006

Washington - The U.S. Army has plans to keep the current level of soldiers in Iraq through 2010, the top Army officer said Wednesday, a later date than Bush administration or Pentagon officials have mentioned thus far.

The Army chief of staff, Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, cautioned against reading too much into the planning, saying troops levels could be adjusted to actual conditions in Iraq. He said it is easier to hold back forces scheduled to go there than to prepare and deploy units at the last minute.

"This is not a prediction that things are going poorly or better," Schoomaker told reporters. "It's just that I have to have enough ammo in the magazine that I can continue to shoot as long as they want us to shoot."

[Grislygus]

"Ammo in the magazine". What a comforting thought.

[mburbank]

I think it's cue that by "ammo in the magazine" he is reffering not just to actual ammo, but human bodies.

[Grislygus]

Not human bodies exactly, just American soldiers.

[McClain]

Not just American soldiers exactly, but National Guard and Reserves.

[mburbank]

I believe the old expression was 'cannon fodder' but 'ammo in the magazine' has a nice, updated ring to it. Respectful.

[sspadowsky]

McClain, are you in any danger of being recalled? I don't know how long you've been back to civilian life.