Military chiefs give warnings on sequestration

Military chiefs give warnings on sequestration

 

Washington Times ^ | 12 Feb 13 | Kristina Wong

 

Posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 9:02:42 AM by SkyPilot

 

 

 

 

The U.S. military faces devastating losses in troop strength and training, equipment procurement and maintenance, and mission capability if Congress does not avert automatic spending cuts set to begin March 1, top defense officials testified Tuesday.

 

“Secretary [Leon E.] Panetta and I have been using the word devastating for 16 months now,” said Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, who testified with military leaders at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. “And now the wolf’s at the door.”

 

 

Military chiefs of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and National Guard Bureau warned that the military would be unable to meet its war-fighting requirements.

 

The Pentagon has reduced some operations, training and maintenance because it is being funded by a continuing resolution that holds spending to 2012 levels. The funding measure will expire March 27, when Congress will have to extend it or approve a 2013 defense spending bill.

 

The Pentagon also would have to cut at least $42 billion from its budget by Sept. 30 and as much as $500 billion from its 10-year spending plan if automatic, across-the-board spending cuts called sequestration begin March 1.

 

Military leaders say sequestration would require:

 

The Army to cut 40 percent of its brigade combat teams and as many as 100,000 active-duty and reserve soldiers, said Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Army chief of staff.

 

Spending constraints under the continuing resolution already have forced the Army to lay off 3,100 employees, impose a hiring freeze and plan to furlough up to 251,000 civilians for one day a week for 22 weeks, Gen. Odierno said. The Army is planning to cancel third- and fourth-quarter vehicle maintenance, which will result in 5,000 layoffs.

 

The Navy to cut back on flight operations, cancel deployments and delay maintenance on ships and aircraft…

 

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com …

 

via Military chiefs give warnings on sequestration.

 

IS THIS MAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD, MENTALLY ILL? (Photo credit: SS&SS)

 

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