What I DO have a problem with is the way I believe they will cut it. There is a LOT of waste in the DoD...and if done correctly...given the threats out there...we should be able to absorb this...no problem.
The people who are really going to take it on the chin are the DoD contractors. We have truly become a military industrial complex. We spend billions a year on MILCON (military construction) that is "nice to have" stuff...but certainly not a necessity. That money is basically a wealth tranfer from the tax payer...to the DoD...to the contractor and then back to the taxpayer (worker). The DoD also spends a lot of $ on TDY's that are not necessary...and on training that isn't mission related. There are so many programs and additional duties that require this or that class (and a TDY for someone to teach the class...or a TDY for someone to GO to the class).
Cut these things and most military types wouldn't flinch. They would probably be glad. However, in true bureaucratic fashion I fear they will cut in the wrong areas and keep spending money on stuff that just takes up time and really doesn't offer any mission dividends.
Thank you for your post! There is no doubt that the DoD budget needs cutting, especially in the area of the civilian workforce - no more undefined pensions for them.
You are on target Nelson - right on!!!