Don Walton: Hagel says rebuild military

Overloaded.

Strained and stressed.

Even broken, perhaps.

That’s the word Chuck Hagel has used to describe the Army after seven years of war in Afghanistan and six years in Iraq.

During his recent trip to the war zones with Barack Obama and Jack Reed, Hagel found confirming evidence.

“I would ask each soldier, Marine, airman and Navy man or woman what tour they were on,” Hagel says.

“It was more than the norm to be on their third or even fourth tour,” he says.

“That’s astounding. It means most of our guys and women in Iraq and Afghanistan have served more time in two war zones than World War II lasted.

“We have stressed and strained and overloaded the circuits in our force structure by these continuous redeployments in battle zones.”

The impact on troops — and on their families — is enormous, Hagel says.

And it is yet to be fully understood.

“A senior general in Iraq, speaking alone with three senators told us: ‘The last thing I want to point out to you is do not forget the consequences of this war on the personal lives of the soldiers and Marines.’”

That general urged the senators to prepare for “what’s coming,”  Hagel says.

Psychological consequences, suicides, family breakdown, personal trauma, the need for services and counseling.

“Don’t forget to take care of these people,” the general said.

The endless war also has monetary costs that stretch into the future beyond the current high level of military spending.  One general estimated equipment replacement costs exceed current commitments by $100 billion.

Another consequence:  “We’ve been lowering the standards of our Army,” Hagel says.

Recruits no longer need to have a high school education, he says, and criminal records and drug abuse records are waived. 

Hagel served as an Army sergeant during the Vietnam War and was twice wounded in combat.

So, while he listens to the generals, he goes directly to the troops to learn what’s happening on the ground.

All three senators did that in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hagel says, and when he and Reed were returning home after Obama flew on to Israel they encountered more troops at Shannon International Airport in Ireland.

“We visited with a planeload of Marines on their way to Anbar Province,” Hagel says. 

So, how do you rebuild an overstressed — and perhaps broken — Army, whose soldiers endure the longest deployments?

“You start by reorienting and prioritizing placement of forces,” Hagel says.

That means phased withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq and insertion of more troops into Afghanistan, where they are needed.

“Match priorities, objectives and policies with resources,” he says.

Coordinate with a reoriented foreign policy that seeks and values allies, builds relationships, forms coalitions of common interest, he says.

Use all the instruments of power, including diplomacy, trade, foreign aid.

That’s soft power.

And that’s big picture.

It will take a long time to repair the U.S. military, Hagel says. But it’s time to begin.

And it’s time to take care of the troops with needed assistance like the new GI Bill he helped write, Hagel says. That legislation provides educational benefits.

“Our men and women in the military have performed spectacularly,” he says.

“But you can’t drive people like pack mules. These are human beings with families and children.”

Hagel is viewed as a leading prospect to be considered for the post of secretary of defense if Obama is elected.

Finishing up:

* Look for lots of red at the Embassy Suites Denver Southeast during the Democratic national convention next month. The delegations from Nebraska and Oklahoma will be housed there.

* Obama supporters are planning a Saturday afternoon rally in Lincoln at the State Theatre on Aug. 9.

*  Baseball: In the hunt now.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.