US President Mr George W. Bush today said he will work with Washington's allies to fulfill a campaign promise to cut what he called harmful "over-deployments" of US troops overseas.
"I am worried that we are trying to be all things to all people around the world," he said here as he wrapped up his first tour as commander in chief by saluting the "citizen soldiers" of the US National Guard and reserves.
"More than ever you find yourselves a part of overseas missions, serving with your active duty counterparts," said Mr Bush.
"While you are not full-time soldiers, you are full-time patriots," he said, noting the expanding role of reservists overseas and the tensions that places on families and businesses, which give their employees time off to serve.
"Over-deployments, constant deployments, really create a severe issue for morale all throughout the military," he said, vowing to address the matter by "redefining the mission or clarifying the mission of the United States military".
AFP