Washington – The number of U.S. troops in Iraq has temporarily peaked at its highest level ever as new units arrive to replace those packing up and leaving, the Pentagon said Tuesday.
The size of the force is nearly 162,000, slightly surpassing the 161,000 troop level for the Iraqi elections in 2005, said Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman.
The number of troops had been at about 155,000 to 159,000 for some time because of the escalation ordered by President Bush in January.
Levels were raised in January 2005 during Iraq’s first elections and returned to about 138,000 several weeks later.
The U.S. Army is expected to announce this week that it met its recruiting target for July after failing to do so for two consecutive months.
The Army had failed to meet its recruiting goals in May and June, raising the possibility that the unpopular Iraq war and strong economy could slow enlistment at a time when the force is fighting two wars as well as trying to increase its overall size.
But a preliminary tally shows the Army is likely to meet its goal of 9,750 for last month, a defense official said Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the numbers will not be announced for several more days. The official declined to provide details.
The Army expects to meet its recruiting goal of 80,000 for the budget year ending Sept. 30, the official said.
Meanwhile, the Army Recruiting Command said it is offering a $20,000 bonus for recruits who sign up by Sept. 30. The bonus applies to new recruits with no prior military service who enlist for at least two years and agree to report to basic training within 30 days of enlistment, said a statement posted Monday on the Army’s website.
The Army has added recruiters and offered bonuses, referral bonuses, and incentives such as schooling and career advancements. It also is paying bonuses to entice soldiers to re-enlist.
The $20,000 bonus can be combined with the Army’s other cash-enlistment bonuses, up to a maximum combination of $40,000 if an enlistee signs up for at least four years. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has set a goal of increasing the size of the active-duty Army by 65,000 to a total of 547,000 within five years, partly to ease some of the strain on the force.
