Posted on 01/05/2012 5:57:24 PM PST by Kaslin
Defense: The administration announces a leaner version of our military involving the cutting of tens of thousands of ground troops as a leading defense contractor closes a major plant due to budget cuts.
In an unusual appearance at the Pentagon on Thursday, President Obama laid out his plans for a "leaner" military based on the need "to renew our economic strength here at home, which is the foundation of our strength in the world."
In other words, failed domestic policies require us to cut our military in a dangerous world.
Obama insisted that even after the currently budgeted $460 billion in defense cuts over the next decade, only the rate of growth has been slowed and "the defense budget will still be larger than it was toward the end of the Bush administration."
In nominal terms, perhaps, but the threats will grow larger and the weapons needs more sophisticated and expensive.
Leaner is the operative word. Pentagon officials have confirmed to Reuters that the strategic review as a result of the cuts will lead to a 10%-15% decline in Army and Marine Corps numbers over the next decade, translating to tens of thousands of troops.
"When some Army brigades start coming out of Afghanistan, they will basically disappear," one official said.
We understand that missions end and requirements change. The war in Iraq is over and Afghanistan will soon be. There is no need to keep a heavy presence in Europe.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.investors.com ...
Disarmament ping
What's the problem with that? Is there not 6.7% of waste or useless items in the annual defense budget to be cut?
If only ALL other federal spending could be cut 6.7% (at least) as well!
I agree. The word “gut” is thrown around quite lightly. The DoD has as much waste and fraud and abuse as anyone, and i wouldn’t consider a 6.7% reduction a “gutting”.
Personally, I’d love to see us reduce our expenditures in overseas bases (specifically Europe). Its time for them to pay for their OWN defense.
Ditto.
Right mo’ cash to blow on stealth reparations, welfare, student lunches and dinners and breakfasts at schools, mo cash to blow on Moochelles pet programs.
More cash to blow on green energy boondoggles. More cash for the EPA to blow on harassing our energy sector. More cash to spend hiring more affirmative action Federal workers to do nothing useful all day. Dittos for the non-AA hires
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