By AFPMore by this AuthorWASHINGTONPresident Donald Trump signed an order Friday to begin what he called a "great rebuilding" of the US armed services, promising new aircraft, naval ships and more resources for the military. Trump made clear during last year's presidential campaign and in recent weeks that he wants to enlarge the ranks of the military services and expand its fleets of aircraft and ships. And Trump excluded the military from a hiring freeze across the rest of the government that he ordered just after being inaugurated president on January 20. The order Trump signed Friday was less specific, calling for a sweeping 30-day readiness review of the US military, with the aim of preparing new budget requests to improve readiness. Trump signed the new order at a ceremonial swearing-in of Mattis as defence secretary, lavishing praise on the retired Marine general.

Source: Daily Nation January 28, 2017 05:25 UTC