NATO won't be spared Defense budget ax, commander says

The Christian Science Monitor ^ | 5/17/2010 | Gordon Lubold

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Defense Secretary Robert Gates begins another push for Pentagon cuts, NATO is preparing to follow suit.

Adm. James Stavridis, the supreme allied commander of NATO, said Monday he will look to make "significant" cuts of both flag officers – generals and admirals – as well as staff for the US and NATO allies.

The comment follows a speech by Mr. Gates at the Eisenhower library in Abilene, Kan., May 8, in which the Defense secretary promised significant belt-tightening at the Pentagon – one of the dominant themes of his tenure. In the speech, Gates mentioned the Pentagon's European operations, noting that the US military has cut its forces in Europe by about 40 percent since the 1990s – yet the reduction in generals and admirals has been about half that.

Stavridis took up that point at a breakfast for defense writers in Washington Monday: “There is room to reduce overhead both in terms of flag and general officers and in terms of staff size, both on the US side and on the NATO side.”

For years, Brussels-based NATO has been considered top heavy: too many top brass for too few troops. But with many European countries struggling financially – and with federal deficits putting pressures on the Pentagon’s own budget – scrutiny of NATO spending is increasing. This year’s baseline Pentagon budget is $708 billion, with 40 percent of that figure just to maintain department's bureaucracy.

One example of what Stavridis could do: put more European commands – such as US Army Europe, currently headed by a four-star general – under less-senior officers. That would allow for smaller staff.

[marron]

Funny the way they write this. Do you suppose Gates woke up one day, and in the middle of fighting two wars with two more looming he thought, dang, my military is too big.

If Gates is looking to cut its because he’s been told to cut.

[himno hero]

yup, might as well cut cuzz we dont need them anyway as obama has given the go ahead for a nuclear Iran.

clearly there are no threats.

not even in the white house.

[mainsail that]

“This year’s baseline Pentagon budget is $708 billion, with 40 percent of that figure just to maintain department’s bureaucracy. “

40% ?????

[Red Dog #1]

"...40 percent of that figure just to maintain department’s bureaucracy. “

That caught my eye also...suspect their definition of bureaucracy includes such things as pay for E-1s, etc.

[PIF]

40% ?????

That’s before their cost of living pay increases, bonuses, etc... More for bureaucracy, less for hardware and supplies.