CNN Lou Dobbs Tonight - Transcript
CNN Lou Dobbs Tonight - Transcript
SEN. JACK REED (D), RHODE ISLAND: Good to be with you, Lou.
DOBBS: You are joined on this issue against the secretary of defense, the man in charge of the military. Why is it that you and others, I must certainly point out, are in disagreement with the secretary of defense, who's responsible for our manpower?
REED: Well, we feel very strongly that we need more resources in the military, more manpower and more soldiers, basically, both in the Army and more Marines in the Marine Corps. And it's based upon our commitments overseas, it's based upon the operational tempo that we're seeing these troops deployed at a very rapid rate, it's based upon the recruitment issues, with respect to reserve components. All of the things that General Grange spoke about just preceding me.
It's an indication that it's overdue that we increase the size of the regular forces, because we can't-we're in danger of breaking our army and preventing our national leaders from having the flexibility to confront not just Iraq and Afghanistan, but crises around the globe.
DOBBS: Senator, when you say that we're in danger of breaking our Army, our military, in point of fact, that is chilling, because we are engaged in a war, obviously in both Iraq and Afghanistan, but despite the casualties, the heavy casualties and the loss of life, it is a confined war. At the same time, this administration is, and in most cases most critics even suggest appropriately, focusing on the challenges presented by North Korea, by Iran and Syria in particular. What are we to do, because it's going to take time even with your authorized increase of 30,000 troops, it's going to take time to bring them online, should they be needed?
REED: Well, that's exactly right, Lou. In fact, Senator Hagel and I have been involved for two years to try to increase the strength of the regular Army and Marine Corps. And, frankly, if the Pentagon had been more responsive a year or two years ago, we would be that much further ahead.
We have a huge challenges, not just in Iraq and Afghanistan, but as you indicated, North Korea, Iran, and potential trouble spots that we're not even aware of at the moment. So I think it's better to move rapidly today to formalize what everyone in their-what everyone really believes I think inside the building, is that we're going to need a larger army for many, many, years, not just the next few months.
DOBBS: Senator Jack Reed, we thank you for being with us here. We appreciate it.
REED: Thank you, Lou.
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