Perspective: Officers Warn 'Surge' in Iraq Could Place Fatal Strain on U.S. Military

WASHINGTON — As President George W. Bush contemplates a "surge" in U.S. troops in Iraq and an expansion of the nation's armed forces, several former military officers warn that either decision could place an almost fatal strain on an already stressed force and may reduce recruiting standards in a push to meet numerical goals.

Bush is expected to offer his strategy for Iraq sometime before the State of the Union address, which is scheduled for Jan. 23. The president has hinted that he may want to increase the number of U.S. forces around Baghdad or embedded with Iraqi soldiers.

Former military officers who spoke to FOXNews.com said increasing troop levels in Baghdad would mean keeping existing brigades there longer, bringing U.S. troops in from other areas of Iraq and accelerating deployments from home. If any of these were to be done long-term, rules for mobilizing the reserves and National Guard would have to be changed so they could be redeployed more often.

"Surge? Yes, we can," said retired Army Col. Douglas MacGregor, a decorated combat veteran who led armored cavalry in Operation Desert Storm. "It will break the force, which in my estimation is broken already. It will leave you with no strategic reserves."

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