The US Army plans to reduce its force size by approximately 24,000, representing nearly 5%, and undergo restructuring to enhance its readiness for future major conflicts. This decision comes amid challenges in recruiting, which have resulted in unfilled positions within the service.

The cuts will primarily affect vacant positions rather than active soldiers, particularly those related to counter-insurgency efforts that were expanded during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars but are now less necessary. Approximately 3,000 of the reductions will impact Army special operations forces.

Simultaneously, the plan includes the addition of approximately 7,500 troops to other crucial missions, such as air defense and counter-drone units, along with the establishment of five new task forces worldwide. These task forces will be equipped with enhanced cyber, intelligence, and long-range strike capabilities.

According to an Army document, it has been determined that the service is currently overstructured, with insufficient soldiers to fully populate existing units. The document states that the reductions will primarily target positions rather than personnel, emphasizing that soldiers will not be forced to leave the force as a result of these cuts.

The decision to downsize reflects the Army's longstanding struggle to fill vacant positions, with current active-duty soldier numbers falling short of the authorized strength. Presently, the Army is structured for up to 494,000 soldiers, but only about 445,000 are in active duty. The new plan aims to recruit additional troops over the next five years to reach a target level of 470,000.

This strategic overhaul follows two decades of intense warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan, which necessitated rapid expansion of the Army to meet deployment requirements. During this period, significant resources were devoted to counter-insurgency operations against groups like al-Qaida, the Taliban, and the Islamic State.

However, the military's focus has evolved towards addressing challenges posed by major global powers like China and Russia, as well as emerging threats from Iran and North Korea. Recent conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, have underscored the importance of enhancing air-defense capabilities and leveraging advanced technologies to counter airborne and sea-based drones.

Army leaders conducted a comprehensive review of all job specialties to identify areas for reduction while considering ongoing modernization efforts. The plan entails cutting approximately 10,000 positions related to engineering roles linked to counter-insurgency missions.

Additionally, 2,700 cuts will be made from units with infrequent deployments, while 6,500 reductions will target various training and support roles. Furthermore, around 10,000 positions will be eliminated from cavalry squadrons, Stryker brigade combat teams, infantry brigade combat teams, and security force assistance brigades involved in training foreign forces.

These adjustments signify a significant strategic shift towards preparing for large-scale combat operations against advanced adversaries, amidst mounting recruiting challenges across all military branches.

Image source: VOA