Fresh from a trip to visit Canadian forces serving in Afghanistan, military ombudsman Andre Marin says the troops are exhausted and overworked.

Because of the recent decision that slashed the number of troops deployed to Afghanistan by almost two-thirds, Marin says the remaining soldiers are being forced to do double duty.

"We're the landlords, we run the place. That means administration, electricity, force protection... and the main mission of reconnaissance," Marin said in an interview with CTV Newsnet Monday.

All those jobs are stretching the 700 troops to the limit, he said.

Based on observations during his two-day tour of Kabul,  Marin notes that, for example, three reconnaissance platoons are being asked to handle the work of four.

As well, Canadian troops are still running the base at Camp Julien, even though it has essentially been handed over to other countries for their troops to use.

The double duty doesn't end there.

"Each soldier has an assigned trade whether it's administration or medic or whatever it is," Marin explained. "They do their normal shift of eight to 10 hours and then after that... they have to check into another job."

All told, Marin says that adds up to 12-16 hour days, at least six days a week for the past four-and-a-half months.

The two most affected units are both from Edmonton -- the Lord Strathcona's Horse regiment, and the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. The horse regiment is responsible for reconnaissance, while the Princess Pats provide force protection.

In August, Ottawa trimmed its International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul from 2,000 to 700. Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Ray Henault had said that troops needed time to recover from recent commitments.

According to Marin, that puts the situation in the hands of military planners, not politicians.

"We've repatriated many Canadians, we've brought them back to allow a breather for our military," he said, noting that decision has left him with one key question outstanding.

"Are we imposing on them a mission which is too much for them to do?"

With that in mind, the military watchdog says he hopes army brass will take his concerns into account when they plan the upcoming deployment of troops to Afghanistan in February.

This was Marin's second trip to Kabul, and third to Afghanistan. He has served as military ombudsman since 1998.