In early 2007, the Marine Corps launched a program to expand its ranks — planning to add about 5,000 Marines a year for five years, and reaching a total of 202,000 by 2012. But this month the Marines already hit 200,000, and Gen. James Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, said they will meet their 202,000 goal in early 2009…

The Marine increase is already paying off.

ASSOCIATED PRESS U.S. Marines patrol the town of Garmser in Helmand province in Afghanistan in July. The Marine Corps has grown by nearly 27,000 members in a little more than two years.

Gen. Conway said putting just one more infantry battalion into the mix helps to extend the time other units get to spend at home between deployments.