WASHINGTON, July 15 (UPI) -- Even as the Army reaches into its ready reserve program, the Navy is trying to shed nearly 10,000 people.
The Navy has announced a program that would allow sailors to leave the Navy 12 months before the service obligation is up. About 25,000 sailors will be offered the option in fiscal year 2003.
The Navy offered a 6-month early-out option last year. The Navy plans to drop 1,900 billets during fiscal 2004, and another 7,900 billets in 2005. The Navy Reserve will also drop approximately 2,500 billets in 2005.
The Army, meanwhile, is trying to recruit some of those sailors into its ranks in a program called "Operation Blue to Green."
Both enlisted and officers who switch would retain their rank, and some may be offered bonuses.
The Army has expanded its payroll by 30,000 to handle the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has also drafted some 5,000 former soldiers of the 111,000 who are registered in the Individual Ready Reserve for a year's duty.
