DOD Budget--Big Picture??

DOD Budget—Big Picture??;  When the President and the Secretary of Defense outlined the Nations new Strategy that would guide the future of American forces on 5 January, many questions were left unanswered. The specifics of the $480 Billion cut over 10 years will be answered soon. (Secretary Panetta is scheduled to release the first details on January 26 and the complete budget on 6 February) It is easy to discuss how the pending cuts will affect local interest, but it is extremely important to ask the ‘Big’ question ‘How will the Strategy effect the Military’s capability to defend the Nation?’ The Strategy focuses on the Asia-Pacific, reduces ground forces, cancels some programs and slows other programs. Various Congressmen have expressed reservations with the new strategy.

The Daily Press reported Rep Randy Forbes comments “He agreed that U.S. forces should pay more attention to China---but he suggested that the administration’s review was to shallow and based on generalities. ---Unfortunately, this review dangerously fails to identify risks assumed by drastic budget cuts.---This laundry list of vague ‘priorities’ is not a strategy for superiority.  It is instead a menu for mediocrity.” The USA Today reported Rep Buck McKeon, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee concern, “This is a lead-from behind strategy for a left behind America---The president has packaged our retreat from the world in the guise of a new strategy to mask his divestment of our military and national defense.” There are many who say the cuts should be bigger, congress will soon have the opportunity to evaluate both sides of the concerns.  The deputy undersecretary of defense for strategy, plans and forces, Kathleen Hicks, said (in American Forces Press, 10 Jan) “The biggest risk of any strategy is uncertainty of the future---we don’t know exactly where threats will emerge---we don’t know where opportunities will emerge and whether we will be able to see them in time to take advantage of them--- we think we have brought down risk that we had at the highest levels of conflict.” There will be interesting hearings starting in February when the DOD budget is reviewed.

Congress will need to evaluate many uncertainties that are mentioned in the press daily.  The tensions with Iran, unrest in Syria and uncertainties in Egypt and Libya. We continually read of the Military growth of China. We can’t forget Russia; last week Russian Press reported a Russian Task Force led by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov visited the Syrian port of Tartus. Russia has a major modernization program of major Capital ships that is scheduled to be complete by 2020.

In addition to the Strategy the budget will address many ‘People ‘ issues, TRICARE and retirement. I have been involved in cuts in the past that have not been obvious until after the fact. The cuts in operation, training and maintenance money, will have a big impact on the forces ability to accomplish their mission.

By the Way---Yesterday the Washington Times reported “New Navy budget may risk plans for Carriers”. The article discussed an unconfirmed report of a possible reduction in the number of carriers and a delay in the construction from 5 to 7 years. Nothing confirmed ‘rumors’ but any change in the carrier force will have an impact on the region.

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