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Declassified per Executive Order 13526, Section 3.3 NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011 JCSM-518-61 1961 AUG 41159

OFF SECY OF DEFENSE

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

1. Reference is made to the memorandum by the Active Assistant Secretary of Defense (ISA) dated 10 July 1961, subject as above, requesting the Joint Chiefs of Staff to submit recommendations on increasing the Republic Of Vietnam Armed Forces (RVNAF) to 270,000.

2. The Joint Chiefs of Staff do not believe that an ultimate force of 270,000 would be required to enable the RVNAF to conduct counter-insurgency operations and concurrently be prepared to meet overt aggression.

3. The Joint Chiefs of Staff are of the opinion that for the foreseeable future the forces objectives for Vietnam of a nine division equivalent force (200,000) is adequate. The Joint Chiefs of Staff will continue to assess the Government of Vietnam (GVN) and RVNAF capabilities and will be prepared to recommend increases in the force objectives for Vietnam should circumstances indicate there is a requirement.

4. The Joint Chiefs of Staff recommend that:

a. The strategic force objectives for Vietnam remain at the nine division equivalent force level (200,000), subject to future assessment. Rh