Richard
08-18-2010, 07:06
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
Gates Wields the Ax, and a U.S. Command Dies
Time, 10 Aug 2010
Defense Secretary Robert Gates declared Monday that he plans to kill the Pentagon's U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) — a high-tech training operation in Norfolk, Va., that employs more contractors than troops. It's a key step in weaning the U.S. military off the post-9/11 defense-spending binge, and it will be only the first in a string of tough cuts to come. The announcement marked the first time in recent memory that a Defense Secretary has called for scrapping one of the major commands — institutions with all the defenses of any medieval moated castle.
"It is important that we not repeat the mistakes of the past, where tough economic times or the winding down of a military campaign leads to steep and unwise reductions in defense," Gates said. "The Department of Defense cannot expect America's elected representatives to approve budget increases each year unless we are doing a good job, indeed everything possible, to make every dollar count."
In part, Gates is reacting to the post-9/11 belief that massive investment was needed to increase security against perceived threats — following a devastating attack on U.S. soil by zealots armed with box cutters. It was only three weeks ago that a top JFCOM official told Congress of plans to spend $285 million "to support the urgent development of infantry immersive training capabilities through the advancement of close-combat infantry immersive training simulations." :confused:
Huh? The nation has been at war for nearly a decade and now they're telling us the military has an urgent requirement to learn how to fight? "The Department," Gates said Monday, "must start setting priorities, making real trade-offs, and separating appetites from real requirements."
(cont'd) http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2009535,00.html
Richard :munchin
Gates Wields the Ax, and a U.S. Command Dies
Time, 10 Aug 2010
Defense Secretary Robert Gates declared Monday that he plans to kill the Pentagon's U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) — a high-tech training operation in Norfolk, Va., that employs more contractors than troops. It's a key step in weaning the U.S. military off the post-9/11 defense-spending binge, and it will be only the first in a string of tough cuts to come. The announcement marked the first time in recent memory that a Defense Secretary has called for scrapping one of the major commands — institutions with all the defenses of any medieval moated castle.
"It is important that we not repeat the mistakes of the past, where tough economic times or the winding down of a military campaign leads to steep and unwise reductions in defense," Gates said. "The Department of Defense cannot expect America's elected representatives to approve budget increases each year unless we are doing a good job, indeed everything possible, to make every dollar count."
In part, Gates is reacting to the post-9/11 belief that massive investment was needed to increase security against perceived threats — following a devastating attack on U.S. soil by zealots armed with box cutters. It was only three weeks ago that a top JFCOM official told Congress of plans to spend $285 million "to support the urgent development of infantry immersive training capabilities through the advancement of close-combat infantry immersive training simulations." :confused:
Huh? The nation has been at war for nearly a decade and now they're telling us the military has an urgent requirement to learn how to fight? "The Department," Gates said Monday, "must start setting priorities, making real trade-offs, and separating appetites from real requirements."
(cont'd) http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2009535,00.html