Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Hollowed Out US Military Braces for Major Role in Combating Coronavirus

Carla Babb

   WASHINGTON - As U.S. President Donald Trump and government leaders
   across the country turn to the military to help combat the coronavirus
   pandemic, the Pentagon is short several highly important leadership
   positions that are being filled with temporary appointments of "acting"
   brass.

   Trump has boasted of lavishing massive amounts of funding on rebuilding
   the military and making it an unrivaled superpower. But simultaneously,
   sluggish attempts by the administration and the Senate to fill civilian
   leadership posts have hollowed out the Pentagon's management.

   "The Pentagon is attriting faster than it can fill positions," a former
   senior defense official told VOA, adding that COVID-19 is "sure to
   further squeeze the [vacancy] situation."

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