Free Republic

SIERRA VISTA — The United States cannot “hollow out our armed forces,” in light of tensions around the world, said congressman Ron Barber (D), whose district in Arizona includes two major military installations. Speaking during a press conference Thursday, which the Herald/Review attended by a video teleconference hookup from Tucson at Barber’s Sierra Vista’s office, the congressman said lawmakers have to ensure defense cuts are carefully thought through. And currently he said it doesn’t appear the Department of Defense is doing that. As for the Army’s announcement that Fort Huachuca could be facing a reduction of 1,700 soldiers and 1,000...

The military must prepare for major upheaval, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said Tuesday, because meeting the budgetary and security challenges of the future will “require significant change across every aspect of our defense enterprise.” And deep cuts in end strength could be just one of the results. (snip) “We may have to accept the reality that not every unit will be at maximum readiness, and some kind of a tiered readiness system is perhaps inevitable,” Hagel said. “This carries the risk that the President would have fewer options to fulfill our national security objectives.” (snip) “We will need to...