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Dictionary definition of “hollow army”

hollow army

n. an understaffed, underfunded, or outdated military. Subjects: English, Military

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Citations: 1980 George C. Wilson Washington Post (May 30) “Joint Chiefs of Staff Break With Carter On Budget Planning for Defense Needs” p. A1: “Right now, we have a hollow Army,” responded Gen. E. C. Meyer, Army chief of staff, in what turned out to be the bluntest response. “I don’t believe the current budget responds to the Army’s needs for the 1980s,” said Meyer of Carter’s fiscal 1981 defense budget. “There’s a tremendous shortfall in the ability to modernize quickly” in response to the Soviet threat. 2005 Charles A. Krohn Washington Post (June 24) “Finding Our Next Army”: Will quantity in recruiting become a silent substitute for quality, leading to what is often referred to as a “hollow army?”

Posted 26 Jun 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

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