In his first major policy address since taking office, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Wednesday forecasted cuts and reforms to be imposed on the Pentagon in keeping with sequestration cuts agreed to by Congress.
Hagel said he was taking “a hard look” at wasteful weapons programs and superfluous personnel, citing former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta as saying “the Pentagon is a big, damn bureaucracy.”
Despite prior efforts to do away with expensive, unnecessary weapons programs, Hagel said, many projects still remain that are “vastly more expensive and technologically risky than what was promised or budgeted for.”
“Left unchecked, spiraling costs to sustain existing structures and institutions, provide benefits to personnel and develop replacements for aging weapons platforms will eventually crowd out spending on procurement, operations and readiness — the budget categories that enable the military to be and stay prepared,” he said.
“The Pentagon is keeping details of its proposed cuts under wraps until the Obama administration unveils its budget next week,” reports The Wall Street Journal. “But defense analysts said Mr. Hagel’s speech indicates military forces will be cut more deeply and that some high-profile weapons systems, like the Army’s ground-combat vehicle or light tactical vehicle, are likely to be cut back or delayed significantly.”
While Hagel made promises to cut areas of waste, he insisted America’s military presence around the world would not be reduced.
“America does not have the luxury of retrenchment – we have too many global interests at stake, including our security, prosperity and future. If we refuse to lead … someone will fill the vacuum,” he said.
Close all the illegal overseas bases NOW. Bring home all the troops NOW. Stop this MADNESS NOW.
Hagel is a defense contractor puppet and a buffoon. He needs to do 5 things today in order to restructure our global war-mongering military. First, he needs to fire at least 500 of his 1,000 useles generals and admirals. Second, he needs to stop flying the E-4B from Offutt AFB which costs $110,000 an hour. Third, he needs to fire at least 250,000 needless defense contractors. Fourth, he needs to stop the grade creep in the military and the grade creep in the 800,000 DoD civilians. Fifth, he needs to eliminate all of the joint military commands (StratCom, CentCom, SouthCom, NorthCom, SoCom, CyberCom, EuCom, PaCom, JIOWC, JTF-GNO, the NSA, SpaceCom, etc.). Hagel needs to stop the military from being the world's policeman and cut the bloated $700 billion a year defense budget back to $400 billion or less. But Hagel will do none of the above, because he is a puppet for the MIC.
Time is fast approaching when america will not be able to afford half of these bases worldwide name it what you like america is broke far beyond the forseeable future.
While the War Department is laying off low level civilians in the US EUCOM is mobilizing dozens of field grade Army Reserve officers to work at Patch Barracks at full pay plus per diem. That's roughly an extra 340 a day. Keep in mind that this happens around the world in every combatant command all the time. It is play money to the War Department and our four star pro consuls. And they know that there will always be more.
drowning in debt but we need more guns… idiots and puppets for the masters-arms manufacturers
(sup)port the troop….
Man I hate this line "If we refuse to lead … someone will fill the vacuum." What a bunch of crap. There's more to "leadership" than bombing fourth-world countries, something any other country who takes the lead wouldn't be stupid enough to do.
Hahahaha! “America does not have the luxury of retrenchment" Put this one on America's tombstone!
The U.S. military is no longer defending our country, but rather bankrupting it.
Yes, as well as creating millions of enemies for the US and USans. The US military is truly the greatest threat to the security of 99% of USans. Those of us who recognize that fact need to repeat it over and over and over until that message becomes part of the acceptable political dialogue.
And does anyone wonder why, at exactly the same time the sacred defense budget is threatened with cuts, suddenly the North Korea threat is being super-hyped by the media and the US seems to be doing everything it can to inflame and escalate a crisis there?
Its a puppet show. And the answer is for people to start voting for candidates who openly call for massive cuts in defense and homeland security. They are on the ballot, and if not you can write-in. I voted for a President in the last two elections who would have been doing exactly that. Please join me.