WW3 Watch: Army chief's last update on the U.S. Army

Over the summer, Gen. Mark Milley, Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army, gave a status report to the Congress. Here are selected excerpts:

• Despite reports last year claiming that the US Army was at 33% combat readiness, Army Chief Gen. Milley said this week that his goal is for the Army to be at 66% combat readiness. (Historically 70% readiness is the standard.)

• The Fiscal Year 2018 budget request pegs the Army at 1,018,000 personnel, however, Gen. Milley is requesting 540,000-55,000 soldiers in the regular Army; 350,000-355,000 in the National Guard; and 205,000-209,000 in the Reserve for a total of 1,095,000-1,114,000 troops overall.

• About half of the 62 Cyber Protection Teams are fully operational. (AC: The Cyber Protection Teams are staffed at brigade headquarters to assist combat commanders with defensive cyber warfare activities. The teams will primarily be charged with protecting the electromagnetic systems, such as communications, against enemy disruption. Most offensive cyber capabilities will remain with NSA and U.S. Cyber Command.)

• Additionally, the Army will staff five or six Security Force Assistance Brigades to conduct advisory and training missions overseas. (AC: Such as in Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places where training missions and advise and assist operations are being conducted.)