“Not everything is a conspiracy”
Actually, lately it sure is. And it’s naïve to think that the senior leaders are thinking of the proper size force structure. I assure you that they are thinking only of structures that include them in it, and which position them to land in the defense industry afterwards.
Ask around,,
I’m in the military I know how it works. and Rule #1 is personnel/manpower is inept at managing the force. They always overcut then over-recruit.
But it’s not all the senior leaders that get to make this decision. The Tippy-Top brass sure they may be vying for a position but it’s not that many of them...the real issue is the field grade officers and they will be getting retired soon anyway. Then it’s easy to replace junior officers, but not so much field graders as when they are gone it takes years to replace them.