Iraq Vets Group Blasts Bush on Latest Marine Call-Ups

IAVA, the nation's first and largest organization of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, released the following statement today from Executive Director and Iraq War Veteran Paul Rieckhoff on Marine Corps plans to call up thousands of troops from the Individual Ready Reserve:

"This latest round of involuntary call-ups is further evidence of the tremendous strain this war has placed on the American military," said Paul Rieckhoff, an Iraq War veteran and the founder and executive director of IAVA: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (iava.org). "This brings us one step closer to breaking the all-volunteer force, and is yet another indication of inadequate pre-war planning."

"Our military has been stretched thin by more than three years of war. It is time for President Bush to admit that his 'business as usual' approach to the war is no longer a viable option. Drawing on the Individual Ready Reserve has real consequences in terms of national security and military preparedness," Rieckhoff said. "These troops are meant to be reserved for times of national emergency. In the fourth year of this war, it could hardly be described as an unforeseen emergency."

"President Bush must address this crisis of military manpower and the profound consequences for our troops and their families."