Navy Memo To Panetta: $2.3B Needed For Marine End Strength Of 186,800

摘要

The Marine Corps will need an extra $2.3 billion to restore its end strength to 186,800 Marines after the fiscal year 2012 defense budget request put the service on a path to only 182,000, according to a memorandum to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta obtained by InsideDefense.com. The Marines opted to slash active-duty end strength from 202,100 to 182,000 with "the understanding [the numbers] would be reviewed upon the completion of the Marine Corps' force structure review," states the June 14 memo. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus signed the document, which broadly lays out the "priorities, challenges and opportunities" for the Navy and the Marine Corps.