Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery argues the U.S. failed to properly communicate the decision to reduce troop rotations in Poland, urging the Pentagon to issue an apology and consider permanent basing.
Communication Failure and Calls for Apology
Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz expects that all misunderstandings regarding the rotation of U.S. troops in Europe will be clarified in the coming days. The government stated it was never informed about the reduced U.S. presence in Poland.
Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, an expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, described the move as a mistake poorly explained to allies. He suggested that Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, should begin his visit to Warsaw with an apology for the Department of Defense’s unprofessional conduct.
Proposal for Permanent U.S. Basing
Montgomery advocates for restoring the brigade rotation system, which he believes should eventually transition into a permanent unit stationed in Poland. He noted that Germany has already decided to establish a permanent base in Lithuania for the 45th Bundeswehr Armored Brigade.
The expert proposed that the U.S. consider moving a permanent brigade to Poland, though noted that Poland would require approximately three years to build the necessary infrastructure. He recommended maintaining a rotational brigade alongside support units in Poland to provide task forces for Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
Political Context and Strategic Depth
Montgomery suggested that while some command elements should remain in Germany for strategic depth, the long-term presence should shift in favor of Poland. The decision is further complicated by upcoming U.S. midterm elections and frustration among Republican congressmen regarding the lack of transparency.
During a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing, lawmakers criticized the Pentagon, with Rep. Dan Bacon describing the lack of communication as a slap in the face to a key ally. Montgomery expressed doubt that President Trump was fully aware of the Pentagon’s decision, noting the administration’s focus on troop reductions in Germany.
Statistics on U.S. Military Presence
According to Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) figures, there are nearly 36,500 U.S. soldiers in Germany, with 5,000 scheduled to withdraw over twelve months. In Poland, there are approximately 10,000 U.S. troops, but only 382 are stationed there permanently, primarily at the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System site in Redzikowo.
Under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), Poland serves as the host nation, covering infrastructure, logistics, and other costs associated with the presence of American military forces.