Military "Scraping Bottom"

In responding to questions after his talk, Clark said he agreed with recent reports that the military is "exhausted". The operational tempo, he said, is out of step with what the military is set up to handle.

Numerous "not for attribution" reports from the military as well as a recent report by Representatives Dave Obey (D-WI) and John Murtha (D-PA) have already begun sounding a quiet alarm.

Clark said the military is "scraping bottom" with the current volunteer army model. The military needs to improve its recruiting methods, said Clark.

The recruiting system has received criticism for relaxing its testing standards in areas of fitness and mental acuity.

In financial terms, Clark said the Army and the Marines need an immediate $50 billion each. Both arms of the military are having increasing difficulty with both manpower and resources.

In addition, veterans need to receive full funding for all health services, particularly those who serve in the national guard and reserve.

In terms of capital, material and human, the military may be slipping into negative territory. The phrase, "not since Vietnam," is popping up more often. Yet the phrase is used less in reference to the state of matters on the ground, but to the state of the military going into its fourth year in Iraq.

"This administration is going to have a big bill to pay," said Clark.