Mr. Chambliss said the size of the active-duty Army should be increased by 20,000 soldiers to help ease the burden.

America clearly needs a larger active-duty Army.

The active-duty Army is not the only branch of the armed services suffering recruiting woes.

Mr. Kerry has also called for a larger active-duty Army and "a new era of alliances" in the fight against terrorism.

The active-duty Army missed its target of 80,000 recruits by about 8 percent, its biggest shortfall since 1979.

For active-duty Army and Reserve forces, recruiters are increasingly looking for older recruits with some college experience.

Relations between the active-duty Army and Guard have been strained for years.

In overhauling its structure, the active-duty Army is growing to 42 combat brigades.

Most other units of the active-duty Army, which is growing to 42 brigades, are resting or being refitted at their home bases.

Congress authorized a 30,000-soldier increase in the active-duty Army after the Sept. 11 attacks that was described as a temporary measure.