: Another reason for delaying the invasion of Iraq into 2003: the Pentagon is running out of troops. Using the exhausted and overstretched force left behind by the Clinton Administration, the Bush-2 Administration has added the Afghan War and the new homeland security mission. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld started his tenure with plans to get out of peacekeeping missions and other distractions in order to reduce operational tempo. Money is tight. The budget office can only find $3.5 billion for the 83,000 reservists called up, and they cost $5.3 billion a year. Sending some of the reservists home would save money but in some cases would increase the workload of other troops (both active units and mobilized reserves).--Stephen V Cole