[USMCRET6391]

By Otto Kreisher
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

February 25, 2005

WASHINGTON – The Commandant of the Marine Corps yesterday opposed calls by some lawmakers to increase the number of Marines by 10,000.

Gen. Michael Hagee said the Marines were struggling to provide facilities for an increase of 3,000 Marines that Congress already has ordered and is "having to work much harder" to meet current recruiting goals.

The Corps fell short of its recruiting goal in January, he said, the first time it has fallen short of a monthly recruiting goal in years.

The Corps' top officer also said the Marines faced a long-term financial challenge to replace or repair vehicles and other equipment being worn out by extended service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In a session with defense reporters, Hagee predicted "we're going to see more of the type of operations we're involved in in Iraq and Afghanistan."

"That means we need to focus on the individual Marine," he said, particularly his or her equipment and education. He advocates more training in foreign languages and cultures.

Hagee said he expected to reach the new authorized total of 178,000 Marines by the end of this year and would like Congress to make the temporary increase of 3,000 permanent.

That conflicts with the statement Tuesday by Pentagon spokesman Larry DeRita that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld would prefer no fixed number for military personnel.

But Hagee disagreed with members of Congress who argue that 10,000 more Marines are needed to cope with the global war on terrorism.

Hagee said recruiting "has become much more challenging," but expressed confidence the Marines would meet their yearly requirement for 39,150 recruits.

The Marines are doing better in getting people to re-enlist, he said, but noted that they are offering a $20,000 infantry bonus.