Active Army actually grew in January, despite drawdown

The incredible shrinking Army had a growth spurt in January, with 552 soldiers being added to the active component — more than half of them women.

The latest official headcount from the Defense Manpower Data Center shows that 482,815 soldiers were in the Regular Army Jan. 31, which is 15,585 fewer troops than one year ago.

Under the drawdown goal now in effect, the active component is on a glide path to reach 475,000 soldiers by Sept. 30, the end of fiscal 2016, and 460,000 by the end of fiscal 2017.

The mini manpower surge in January was fueled in part by a 278-soldier increase in the number of women serving on active duty.

The 69,580 women serving on active duty at the end of January comprised 14.4 percent of the Regular Army, up slightly from the 14.3 percent level in December when Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced that the Army was opening all jobs, including direct ground combat, to women.

Recruiting Command has not seen a groundswell of women interested in joining the combat arms, but it is increasing the number of female recruiters who can talk to young women about Army opportunities.

January end strength figures show the Total Army — active and reserve components — is comprises1.3 million troops, about the same as in December.

The Army National Guard had 348,689 soldiers on Jan. 31, and the Army Reserve 199,512, according to DMDC figures.

The number of West Point cadets being carried on the active-duty rolls has remained steady at slightly fewer than 4,400.

MAJ Ken Landgren SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt Obom Bowen CPT (Join to see) LTC Stephen F. SSG Warren Swan PO2 Ed C. SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SSgt (Join to see) CPT L SSP5 Michael Rathbun CW5 (Join to see) CW5 Charlie Poulton SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas SGM Mikel Dawson CSM Charles Hayden SGT Benjamin Lindsey SPC Andrew Griffin d SN Greg Wright TSgt Hunter Logan