An Unfortunate Clinton Truth

An Unfortunate Clinton Truth
by Linda A. Prussen-Razzano, Dallas Bureau Chief

Those who hailed the triumphant end of the Cold War with Russia were celebrating prematurely. After having vanquished our political foe, we should have ensured our own national security by keeping readiness high. Had we maintained the same high level of readiness, no doubt we could still be enjoying our "preeminence" party. If our leaders were still cautious and concerned about national security, perhaps we could still sleep peacefully in our beds.

It didn’t happen.

With massive declassification document dumps, ridiculously lax licenses and technology exchanges, and with a bought-and-sold Administration, we are not ensuring our own national security. With continual base closures, decreases in weapons advancement, and inadequate military training, we are not at the same levels of readiness. And with Chicom spies running amok in our nuclear labs…well, some of us are not sleeping peacefully in our beds.

How bad is it?

Case in point, the US Navy.

The Navy’s primary concern is Fleet readiness. Fleet readiness is typically measured in the amount of fully equipped, fully trained Battle Groups (BG) available in a specific part of the world, in direct proportion to a perceived threat.

We don’t just want these Battle Groups prepared, our fine military personnel freshly and completely trained, and their supplies stocked…we want them out at sea. Currently, they are valiantly scrambling just to stay operational and to maintain even a reasonable level of readiness. In return for the dedication of themselves, up to and including their lives, we are giving them the shaft.

In 1993, the Navy’s BA (Basic Allowance) for manning a BG was 95%; it was subsequently reduced to 93%. By 1997, it was reduced again to 90%. Despite the forced decline in mandated Status of Readiness and Training System (SORTS) standards, the actual manpower afloat "among junior enlisted (E-1 to E-3) general detail (GENDET) personnel" averages 86%. "Navy wide we are short approximately 6,000 GENDETS." (Statement of Vice Admiral Herbert A. Browne, Jr, II Commander, Third Fleet, Before the Readiness, Personnel, and Milcon Subcommittee of the House National Security Committee on Fleet Readiness, September 25, 1998).

It gets worse.

Because of significant personnel shortages, BGs and Amphibious Ready groups/Marine Expeditionary Units are unable to complete, or sometimes even begin, inter-deployment training. The Navy is currently "experiencing a higher percentage of required personnel arriving ‘just in time’ to deploy." Necessary training must then be conducted en route to their destination, or upon arrival. In short, we could be sending our people off to die in a military engagement, and doing our best to ensure their deaths because they did not have the time or the funds train properly.

It gets worse.

"Onboard USS SHILOH (CG-67) (a LINCOLN BG Cruiser) during the 1995 deployment, there were ten Aegis fire control technicians with job specialty designators 1119, now there are six. E-3 and below manning on the SHILOH is at 61%." (Vice Admiral Herbert A. Browne, Jr., II Commander, September 25, 1998).

But wait, it gets worse.

"As shore infrastructure applies directly to training, the training of Battlegroup and Amphibious Ready Group staffs at Tactical Training Group Pacific (TTGP) and Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific (EWTGPAC) has not kept up with technology. There are many new modeling and simulation systems that should be used to enhance the operational and tactical training received by these warfighters. Lack of funding has required us to maintain the aging systems as ‘better than nothing’." (Vice Admiral Herbert A. Browne, Jr., II Commander, September 25, 1998).

Let us remember, in 1996 the President gave COSCO a $137 million "nonrecourse" loan to build 5 new ships, but our Navy has to maintain aging or obsolesced equipment because it’s "better than nothing."

But wait, it still gets worse.

"Weapons stations funding constraints are impacting the operational forces. Our limited Receipt, Segregation, Storage and Issue (RSS&I) funds require us to crossdeck ammunition from ship to ship. The USS TARAWA had to get underway to onload ammunition from USS PELELIU as she returned from deployment. USS CARL VINSON had to have additional underway days added to her schedule in order to receive ammunition from USS MOUNT HOOD, who had to get underway to offload USS JOHN C STENNIS enroute to San Diego from deployment.

"Another aircraft funding issue is the loss of the S-3B's Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability. The pipeline for the enlisted aircrew needed in the S-3B Viking to conduct this essential mission has already shut down… meaning the Viking will be unable to conduct this primary mission. ASW is critical in providing a zone of protection around sea lines of communication against enemy submarines" (Vice Admiral Herbert A. Browne, Jr., II Commander, September 25, 1998).

Ready for the clincher?

On November 26, 1997, President Clinton signed HR2159 (Public Law 105-188), "Foreign Operations Appropriation Act for Fiscal Year 1998." In it, we gave away the following:

$3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF). We lent foreign countries the money to buy American military equipment.
$2.4 billion for the Economic Support Fund (ESF). These funds went to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey.
$230 million for the international drug control programs run by the State Department.
The administration requested and received $50 million for the training of nearly 7,400 members of 120 foreign militaries, a significant increase from FY 1997 levels. Some of the largest recipients of this aid were recognized by the State Department as having poor human rights records (No. 36, "Military Aid Legislation," Federation of American Scientists, February 28, 1998).
In total, this Administration, along with a complacent Congress, shelled out over $6 billion in foreign military aid; meanwhile, our brave military personnel are overworked and our Fleet is understaffed.

This Administration continues to make favorable deals with the Communist Chinese to significantly enhance their military capabilities, but our beloved men and women in uniform are under-trained and working with limited resources/obsolesced equipment.

Our Commander In Chief has been found in contempt of court, can’t define "is," "sex," and "alone," has lied repeatedly to the American people, and jokes about his own Impeachment, proclaiming it a "badge of honor." Is it any wonder morale is at an all time low? Is it any wonder that people refuse to serve under him? Is it any wonder that the re-enlistment rate has plummeted dangerously?

How serious is it?

In Vice Admiral Browne’s own words, "The climb from these lower levels of readiness in preparation for deployment is becoming steeper and more challenging for our personnel. We are fragile."

Fragile.

I guess Clinton wasn’t lying when he said he "loathed" the military. ***

Related Sources

Conference Report on HR1141, "1999 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act," House of Representatives, May 18, 1999.
Statement of Vice Admiral Herbert A. Browne, Jr., II Commander, Third Fleet, Before the Readiness, Personnel, and Milcon Subcommittee of the House National Security Committee on Fleet Readiness, September 25, 1998.
Report No. 36, "Military Aid Legislation," Federation of American Scientists, February 28, 1998.

This article originally appeared on the BROWNSTONE POLICY INSTITUTE's Web Site. They may be reached in Brooklyn, New York by phone at 718-858-6535 or by e-mail HERE.

"Has Bush restored the Navy's operational readiness?"

If this restoration of funds has to be approved by the Congress & Senate - we should all be aware that their social programs come first so that they can get re-elected!!

They are NOT interested in country - just their own power.

I did 5 years in the Navy 92 - 97. The Navy was a joke back then and probably is now. Everyone I knew was under paid and over worked. Clinton's "downsizing" almost killed the armed forces and is still having reprocusions today. I think it is a shame that someone in the armed forces protecting his/her country has to get on food stamps just to keep food on the table because he/she is being paid less than minimum wage it is a slap in the face to say the least.Clinton was the first president I ever voted for and let me tell you I am ashamed that I ever helped put that crook into power. I hope that rumsfield and Bush get the armed forces out the bad shape Hillary uh I mean bill put them into.

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