Obama says military is overburden in Iraq and Afghanistan, wants bigger civilian work force
By APWednesday, June 30, 2010
Obama: Military overburdened in Iraq, Afghanistan
RACINE, Wis. — President Barack Obama says U.S. troops are carrying too much of the burden in Iraq and Afghanistan and doing too many things that are more appropriate for civilians, such as buildings schools and setting up justice systems.
Obama says the problem is that the U.S. doesn’t have a civilian effort as large as the military.
He wants to change that by building up a “civilian expeditionary force” that can go into an area once the U.S. military deems it safe to do the work of building roads, bridges and schools and setting up civil societies.
Obama said that’s one reason he’s increased military pay while holding the line on domestic spending.
Obama commented Wednesday during a town hall meeting.
