Army Drawdown and Restructuring: Background and Issues for Congress

This paper discusses the congressional legislative implications of the new US defense strategy, which was unveiled on 26 January 2012. The review aims to take account of the potential security challenges faced by the US in future, current defense strategy, and budgetary constraints. This new strategy envisions a smaller, leaner army that is agile, flexible, rapidly deployable, and technologically advanced. Potential issues for Congress include the strategic risk posed by a smaller and restructured Army; the "health" of the Army given the impending downsizing; where the force will be based; and the role of the National Guard and Reserves.

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