Washington, D.C ? Facing pressure from both parties in Congress and state National Guard leaders, the Army on Thursday committed to keeping the National Guard’s authorized troop level at 350,000 and promised to fund it up to that level.

“If they recruit 350,000, the funding’s there. Their authorization remains 350,000,” said Gen. Peter Schoomaker, the Army’s chief of staff.

Because of recruiting shortfalls, the Guard has about 333,000 soldiers on the rolls, but Guard leaders say they are confident of reaching the goal of 350,000 this year.

The National Guard, which represents about 38 percent of the U.S. military’s force structure, has served heavily in Iraq, deploying seven combat brigades as well as headquarters and other units with thousands of troops since the war began.