Gen Robert Cone, the deputy commander of US troops in Iraq, told the BBC that the greatest assistance would be needed in the areas of logistics, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

BBC: Iraq 'independent' as the US combat operation ends

Robert Cone, the chief of the Army's Training and Doctrine Command, said the services are developing new physical standards to make sure recruits are capable of meeting the physical demands of combat roles.

CNN: How America's top general came to endorse women in combat

Robert Cone envisions for Afghanistan.

NPR: U.S. Launches Aggressive Training for Afghan Police