The United States Army and Marine Corps have been at war first in Afghanistan and then Iraq since November 2001. The Army's and Marine Corps' equipment has been employed in what has been described as 'the harsh operating environments of Iraq and Afghanistan where the heat, sand, and dust as well as operational rates' well in excess of peacetime rates have taken a heavy toll on the Army's and Marines' equipment. Re-equipping Reserve and National Guard units that, in many cases, were under-equipped to start with and then required to leave their equipment in theater also presents challenges to the services. The Army and Marine Corps are also undertaking efforts to re-equip their pre- positioned stocks which were drawn upon to provide equipment for use in Afghanistan and Iraq. There are also concerns that the Army and Marines have not always aggressively pursued the best force protection equipment available and the Army has been questioned on its efforts to improve the standard soldier assault rifle. Congress, in its appropriation, authorization, and oversight roles may be faced with some of the following issues.
U.S. Army and Marine Corps Equipment Requirements: Background and Issues for Congress
2007
23 pages
Report
No indication
English