Pentagon Plans to Shrink Army to Pre-World War II Level

[Tree Potato]

Originally Posted by 2018commo

I received an OPORD yesterday which showed the proposed cuts post by post. What an act of lunacy, nothing but a shot over the bow of congress.

Shack... chess, not checkers, and the Dems have their backs against the wall when it comes to midterms.

They're counting on Congress to push back and limit the worst of this, and yet they'll get credit from low-information voters for "trying" to do something and being obstructed by a bunch of [R] meanies. In the meantime they'll divert funds toward vote buying programs in an attempt to reduce the D losses in the next election. After all, this is about votes and power without concern for national security.

Machiavelli would be impressed.

[Max_Tab]

http://freebeacon.com/end-of-america...ary-dominance/

"Hagel said the defense reductions will pose new national security risks for the United States in the future. They also have forced the Pentagon to face the prospect of losing America’s position as the most dominant military power in the world."

This is exactly what the progressives have wanted since the 60s. They think America is the problem, and have been offended by Americas dominance. They have been planning and plotting for this, and under Obama it is finally happening. We have ringside seats for America's fall. And the best part, our morally courageous military leadership are crawling on their knees, bowing and begging for scraps from their destroyer.

[sinjefe]

Carter, Clinton, Obama. This is what democrats do. The military and veterans stands for everything they are not. They hate us because of it.

IMO.

[Richard]

Today's world - today's strategic vision - today's military - foreseeable manpower needs?

Here's something to ponder:

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0004598.html

I was drafted in 1970 - retired in 1993. All I ever saw were manpower reductions combined with increases in technological innovation and force proficiency.

And so it goes...

Richard

[Mike]

"Bout all that's left is the surrender ceremony.

[Max_Tab]

We are lucky Hagel didn't get his first draft to pre civil war era cuts.

http://www.infowars.com/russian-troo...-of-civil-war/

[Detonics]

Originally Posted by sinjefe

Carter, Clinton, Obama. This is what democrats do. The military and veterans stands for everything they are not. They hate us because of it.

IMO.

Well said. Sir! If you had 100 of the most radical 1960's anti-Americans put together a dream list of the ills they would wish upon America you'd have a pretty accurate narrative of the Carter, Klinton, Obama "legacy."

[Trapper John]

Just read this this morning: http://breakingdefense.com/2014/02/t...s-4-fallacies/

With all the controversies over budget cuts to Defense and the debate over the appropriate size of Army or the nature and focus of the Army going forward, I think LTG McMaster hit the nail on the head. Essentially he is saying all of the discussion and planning and prognostication is really just a meaningless exercise (my interpretation) based upon fallacies.

We don't get to decide how big or what shape our MIL becomes - or enemies do!

IMO, the issue is just as simple as the Boy Scout's Motto: Be Prepared. Our enemies will let us know what is required soon enough.

[kgoerz]

Maybe if the disability system wasn't so abused with fake claims half the budget wouldn't go towards paying benefits. Seems like every person I meet who spent less the 5 years in has 80% disability.
Guy I know who just got out. Just received 90%. He is only 27. So for the rest of his life he will collect this. Even thou there is nothing wrong with him.
Military disability is the biggest scam going and we all know it. I only get 40% and that 40% is then subtracted from my pension. But that's because I only claimed what was really wrong with me. People claiming sleep apnea, get the f$#@ck out of here. The abuse of the military disability is right up there with people having more kids to increase their welfare.

[Snaquebite]

Originally Posted by kgoerz

Maybe if the disability system wasn't so abused with fake claims half the budget wouldn't go towards paying benefits. Seems like every person I meet who spent less the 5 years in has 80% disability.
Guy I know who just got out. Just received 90%. He is only 27. So for the rest of his life he will collect this. Even thou there is nothing wrong with him.
Military disability is the biggest scam going and we all know it. I only get 40% and that 40% is then subtracted from my pension. But that's because I only claimed what was really wrong with me. People claiming sleep apnea, get the f$#@ck out of here. The abuse of the military disability is right up there with people having more kids to increase there welfare.

While I agree with you about the false and suspicious claims, I feel many are due their disability and have problems actually collecting. I am one of them. I won't go into detail but all the broken bones, back surgeries, sprains, dislocations and other verifiable ailments I amassed over 28 years have finally caught up with me and I'm still collecting nothing after 6 years of waiting and BS red tape. Now they're telling me they do not have my original claim and I need to re-submit.

[kgoerz]

Originally Posted by Snaquebite

While I agree with you about the false and suspicious claims, I feel many are due their disability and have problems actually collecting. I am one of them. I won't go into detail but all the broken bones, back surgeries, sprains, dislocations and other verifiable ailments I amassed over 28 years have finally caught up with me and I'm still collecting nothing after 6 years of waiting and BS red tape. Now they're telling me they do not have my original claim and I need to re-submit.

The people like you who have legit claims are the ones getting screwed by the BS claims flooding the system.
Maybe if the VA would investigate what people are doing for work while claiming more the 50% they could cut these people off.
Guys at my work are on 90 and 100% disability. But run around in body armor all day, climb ladders, climb thru windows. It's a freaking joke.

[Trapper John]

Originally Posted by kgoerz

Maybe if the disability system wasn't so abused with fake claims half the budget wouldn't go towards paying benefits. Seems like every person I meet who spent less the 5 years in has 80% disability.
Guy I know who just got out. Just received 90%. He is only 27. So for the rest of his life he will collect this. Even thou there is nothing wrong with him.
Military disability is the biggest scam going and we all know it. I only get 40% and that 40% is then subtracted from my pension. But that's because I only claimed what was really wrong with me. People claiming sleep apnea, get the f$#@ck out of here. The abuse of the military disability is right up there with people having more kids to increase their welfare.

I have been thinking the same thing for a loooong time - glad you said it.

I had guys urging me to apply for disability then and even as recently as a few years ago. One even sent me step by step instructions along with a copy of letter he had used to validate his claim - WTF?

The argument was always something like -"why not, the system is there, take full advantage." The problem is that I am fine (well, maybe with one or two exceptions depending upon who you talk to ).

There are real 2nd and 3rd order effects. Making a claim is just one more case and if everyone did this the system would become clogged with frivolous claims and Vets that really need assistance would be waiting in line or even denied, not to mention the astronomical long-term costs that will not go away.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

I figured it this way, I knew the risks going in, I accepted the risks, and I will deal with the outcomes appropriately. If I had to do it over again, I would not do anything differently. I would rather put a gun to my head than take a much needed benefit away from one of my Brothers that was in real need.

The abuse of the disability benefits system just pisses me off.

[Rant off]

[Snaquebite]

I had guys urging me to apply for disability then and even as recently as a few years ago. One even sent me step by step instructions along with a copy of letter he had used to validate his claim - WTF?

Still got that info? I could use it.

[Trapper John]

Originally Posted by Snaquebite

Still got that info? I could use it.

Sorry Brother I am pretty certain that I don't. Probably pitched it during a move about 5 years ago. I'll check though and let you know. BTW, the trouble you are having is EXACTLY why I am pissed about all the BS whiny claims that are contributing to the backlog.

Had a thought. I know a Brother that might help. Send me a PM.

[Box]

...so, the cold war is over, Russia is no longer a geopolitical threat and the 80's want their foreign policy back

How's that working out for you Mr President?