Armed Forces: Where the Other Boys Are

In all the talk about possible mobilization to meet America's needs in Viet Nam, one nagging question inevitably arises. With 3,426,680 men in uniform, why should the U.S. have to call up reserves and expand the draft in order to give General William Westmoreland the 206,000. men he wants?

The answer is that the armed forces are seriously short of riflemen. Nearly half of the nation's fighting men are in the Air Force (904,062) and Navy (748,762), and although a limited increase in the number of aircraft needed for logistical support of those 200,000 troops would be necessary, neither...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!