Amos on drawdown: Could start in 2013 - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Amos on drawdown: Could start in 2013

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. — The drawdown of Marines could begin sooner than expected.

Commandant Gen. Jim Amos told Marines at the air station that the force reduction could begin as early as 2013. Marine leaders initially said the drawdown was unlikely to start until fiscal 2015.

Amos, speaking to a standing-room audience on Tuesday, said reductions will mean not every Marine who wants to re-enlist will have that option.

The Daily News of Jacksonville reported that Amos told Marines a planned force reduction would begin with fewer recruits as force levels overseas are cut. The Corps' target end-strength is 186,800, down from about 200,000 today.

Amos said the reduced need for Marines will mean that only the very best can compete for re-enlistment spots.

The top Marine promised he'll manage the force reduction responsibly and won't cut 10,000 Marines in one year.