Pentagon Proposes Military Cutbacks

The Pentagon proposed on Thursday budget cuts that would dramatically cut the size of the military over the next decade. As reported by NBC News, the effort will involve the mothballing of older ships, the trimming of air squadrons, and the elimination of thousands of jobs in a change of military strategy at a saving of $487 billion over a 10-year period. The cuts are in response to the need to curb the trillion-dollar budget deficit, although Republican lawmakers have made clear their objections to cuts in military spending. This proposal promises to set the stage for a new struggle between President Obama’s administration and Congress.

“Make no mistake, the savings we are proposing will impact all 50 states and many districts across America,” U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta told a news conference at the Pentagon. “This will be a test of whether reducing the deficit is about talk or action.”

The president will also ask the Congress for a round of base closures, although it is unlikely that the request will be approve in an election year. The budget proposal will bring the military to pre-9/11 levels.

Pay raises for military personnel will be protected for 2013 and 2014, but will be reduced starting in 2015. Fees, co-pays, and deductibles for retirees’ health care plans will increase. Army personnel strength will be reduced by 13.3 percent, or about 75,000 soldiers. Active duty Marine forces will be reduced by 11 percent, or about 20,000 Marines. The Air Force will lose six tactical air squadrons, one training squadron, 27 older C-5As, 65 older C-130s, and 38 C-27s. The Navy will also lose seven cruisers marked for overhaul, as well as several support ships. The plan will be submitted as part of the 2013 budget on February 13.

As reported by MSNBC, Army’s Chief of staff General Raymond Odierno told Reuters, “We’re now out of Iraq, we’re reducing our commitment in Afghanistan, so we can now bring the size of the Army down. And I feel comfortable with how we’re going to do that.” Concerns about the Chinese military escalation and North Korea’s nuclear capability, however, will require a full military presence in the North Pacific/Asian Rim.

In addition, the military will focus more on specialized teams, such as the teams that killed Osama bin Laden and rescued hostages from Somalia last week. In addition, the military will support the funding of a “floating base”, as reported by the BBC, which would consist of a giant barge that can transport special forces and serve as a deployment point. This would limit the demand on carriers. This would allow the military to be more agile and adaptable, according to Panetta.

The biggest toll, however, may be felt in towns and cities across the nation. For example, Niagara Falls, who has endured BRAC closure threats before, fears the closure of the Niagara Falls Air Base and the loss of a major employer in light of a slowly recovering economy.


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *