The Pentagon intends to cut 40 thousands of US soldiers and officers

Over the next two years, the Pentagon intends to reduce the 40 of thousands of soldiers and officers, according to US media.

Thus, by the end of 2017, the staff of the US Army will be reduced to about 450 by thousands of troops.

In addition to this, the Pentagon is going to cut 17 thousands of civil servants working in military structures.

According to the USA Today newspaper, the number of armed forces will have to be reduced by 30 thousand more people if another sequestration of the state budget occurs in October.

In 2012, at the height of the armed conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the American army numbered up to 570 thousands of troops.

About 10, thousands of US military still remain in Afghanistan - their gradual withdrawal is postponed at least until the 2016 year.

"Lowest level since 1940"

Practically the entire American contingent was withdrawn from Iraq as early as 2010, when President Barack Obama decided that the US military would no longer take part in the hostilities there.

Currently, approximately 3,5 American military experts are stationed in Iraq to assist the Iraqi army as it confronts the jihadist group Islamic State.

As a result of the planned reductions, the size of the US Army will reach its lowest level since 1940.

A year before the country entered World War II, the regular units of the American army numbered 270 thousands of servicemen.

In the 2000 year, a year before the attacks on the US 11 in September, this figure reached 480 thousands of people.