If the larger Rebel force converged with natives that were already giving the Empire a hard time (those booby traps just come from nowhere otherwise). Jedi will begin to make more sense.

Jerjerrod is obsessed with having more men....

I don't think man power would be used much in building the station (wouldn't they have machines for that?).

The opening meeting between him and Vader could be tinkered so that he needs more men to fight the things attacking the base protecting the station.

That creates interesting questions like what is strong enough and nasty enough to take out Imperial troops, the answer has to be short and furry because that's how Lucas' mind worked when he was good (the great warrior Yoda for example).