Budget Cuts Are Killing Military Preparedness (From Forbes)
Last month, Army Secretary John McHugh and Chief of Staff Raymond Odierno warned the armed services committees in the House and Senate that their service’s readiness is rapidly approaching a crisis state. Budget cuts have resulted in cancellation of new depot maintenance work for the next two quarters and curtailment of training to 80% of the force. The only soldiers getting everything they need to maintain a high state of readiness are either in Afghanistan or headed there soon; elsewhere, training and sustainment is being slashed — even in Korea. McHugh and Odierno say the Army can cope with these setbacks for a few months, but if Washington’s budget wars persist into future years the size and capabilities of the force will inevitably erode. I have written a commentary for Forbes here.
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