Questions about DOD Strategy

Questions about DOD Strategy; Last Thursday the Secretary of Defense announced the ‘Defense Budget Priorities and Choices’. The document described the DOD plan to reduce the Defense budget in the next 10 years by $480 Billion. This plan supports the new National Strategy. The study describes the ‘Force of the Future’ and describes the means that would be taken to obtain the force needed to carry out the new strategy.

Since the guidance was published there have been many questions, criticism and concerns. The President’s budget that will be released on 13 February should address some of the specifies, but the budget will only specifically address the Five Year Defense Plan (FYDP) and $259 Billion of the $480 Billion to be cut. Congress will get the chance to ask questions at hearings on the budget and I am sure they will be asking for more detail and will want more information on the Strategy, Specific Cuts and BRAC.

New Strategy: Rebalance the Force structure towards Asia-Pacific and Middle East; defeat a major adversely in one theater and denying aggression elsewhere; no longer size active forces to conduct large and protracted  stability operations. Many leaders questioned the Strategy and will be asking for answers in the hearings.  Rep Buck McKeon (R Calif), Chairman House Armed Services Committee said (Navy Times) the proposal ‘would put the nation at risk-to achieve these reductions, the president has abandoned the defense structure that has protected America for two generations—These cuts reflect Presidents Obama’s vision of an America that is weakened, not strengthened by our men and women in uniform.’ Rep Duncan Hunter (R Calif) (San Diego Union-Tribune) “the whole military is close to its tipping point—This budget begins the process of putting in motion deep cuts to our national defense, Instead of calculating our security investments based on existing and emerging threats---this plan ignores the full scope of danger facing U.S. and global security”. Rep Randy Forbes (VA-4) (Statement) “---embraces weakness by a thousand cuts—the administration is not building a military that is lean, agile and flexible. It is dismantling our nation’s greatest strategic asset and accepting grave risk in the process”.

Specific Cuts; The document gives the number to be cut, but does not state where the forces will come from, nor does it give numbers specific for slowdowns (JSF). The budget covers 2013 and the following 4 year plan (FYDP), Congress will probably ask for the entire strategic plan of present and future cuts (by location). Navy, Retire 7 cruisers, retire 2 LSD’s, and accelerate retirement of some existing ships, slow pace of building new ships. Reduce 2 LCS and 8 High Speed Vessels in the FYDP; delay by 2 years new Ohio Class sub; Air Force: disestablish 6 tactical-air fighter squadrons, 1 training squadron, retiring 27 C-5A’s, 65 C-130’s and divesting 38 C-27’s, terminate Global Hawk Block 30; Army, reduce the active force by 80,000 (Aprox 10,000 from Europe) delay Army Ground Combat Vehicle; Marines, reduce the active force by 20,000. In addition  all three variants of the JSF procurement will be slowed.  Health Care, TRICARE issues will be discussed in detail.

Not defined in the Strategy but asked for, were 2 rounds of Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC). BRAC is created by Congress, a bipartisan commission that takes DOD recommendation for closure and consolidation. After a study (Visit/hearings) the commission makes recommendations to the Secretary of Defense and the President. (The entire list is approved or no partial approval) There has been a lot of opposition to the BRAC proposal. Senator Lieberman said NO BRAC, Senator Levin (Daily Press) Chairman of the Senate Armed Service Committee says “until the United States shut down some bases in Europe—I am not going to be able to support closing bases in America”. Rep Scott Rigell VA-2, “We don’t know the scope or mission of the proposed BRAC commission, and I need that information to determine our next step. If a commission is established, it should consider contracting our forces and bases in Europe.” The Washington Post announced,” VA braces for defense cuts, base closures, Virginia officials are preparing to defend the state’s military installations from cutbacks.” The Army Chief, General Odrerno, said European bases needed to be looked at. He felt the Army had done a good job in the past getting rid of excess capacity in the U.S. The Air Force Chief of Staff, General Schwartz, felt there was a need for BRAC, there was a requirement for closure and consolidation. In an interview with Defense News, Rep Adam Smith (D- WA) ranking member of the House Armed service Committee was asked how he thought the DOD BRAC proposal would be received by Congress. “I don’t know if Congress is going to get on board with it, but it needs to be done. We are making significant changes in force structure. I think without question we’re going to have to do some realignment. I don’t know how any person looking at the strategy and looking at the changes coming down could conclude otherwise”.

Hearings will start in a couple of weeks, it will be interesting to watch the process.

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