President Barack Obama says U.S. troops are carrying too much of the burden in Iraq and Afghanistan and doing too many things that are more appropriate for civilians, such as building schools and setting up justice systems.
Obama says the problem is that the U.S. doesn't have a civilian effort as large as the military.
He wants to change that by building up a "civilian expeditionary force" that can go into an area once the U.S. military deems it safe to do the work of building roads, bridges and schools and setting up civil societies.
Obama said that's one reason he's increased military pay while holding the line on domestic spending.
Obama commented Wednesday during a town hall meeting.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
RACINE, Wis. (AP) — President Barack Obama says U.S. troops are carrying too much of the burden in Iraq and Afghanistan and doing too many things that are more appropriate for civilians, such as buildings schools and setting up justice systems.
Obama says the problem is that the U.S. doesn't have a civilian effort as large as the military.
He wants to change that by building up a "civilian expeditionary force" that can go into an area once the U.S. military deems it safe to do the work of building roads, bridges and schools and setting up civil societies.
Obama said that's one reason he's increased military pay while holding the line on domestic spending.
Obama commented Wednesday during a town hall meeting.
© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.