Stryker Brigade felt strain even before it left for battle

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003810989_stryker29m.html

When a Fort Lewis combat brigade hit the ground in Iraq this spring, it was already showing the strains of a volunteer Army in the fifth year of war.

Some 700 soldiers had injuries, illnesses, legal problems or other issues that prevented them from joining the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, which has been tapped for a frontline role in this year's expanded military campaign.

The brigade has a target strength of about 4,000 soldiers. Army officials acknowledge that the number of sidelined soldiers was considerably higher than in earlier deployments by other Fort Lewis combat brigades.

Brigade officials say that staffing was a significant concern during their first few months of duty in Iraq this year.