This is a common tactic--rightly or wrongly--in a drawdown.

You will also see drug testing increasing, and consequences for failed tests become more severe; physical readiness standards will begin to be enforced--rigorously--and fat people and slow runners will be shown the door; promotions will be harder to come by; and this will continue until the service meets target attrition goals.

The mid-nineties saw the same drill to reduce numbers. It was painful and ugly back then, too--rules that had been ignored were suddenly enforced, and "zero tolerance" was the name of the game. Many people were handed their walking papers who didn't want to leave.

I would hope that some of the veterans' organizations, like VFW, are helping these individuals apply to upgrade their discharges so they will be eligible for services.

Peacetime armies are smaller.

"...some are wounded combat troops who have lost their medical care and other veterans benefits..."

Actually heard that on the nooz this morning, and it's pissing me off.