Gates Outlines Savings Plan, Personnel Reductions
Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 6:12PMDefense Secretary Robert Gates outlined a series of measures intended to cut spending Thursday, including the reduction of approximately 40,000 military personnel from both the Army and the Marines within the next decade.
“These projected reductions are based on an assumption that America’s ground combat commitment in Afghanistan would be significantly reduced by the end of 2014 in accordance with the President’s strategy,” Gates explained.
According to Gates, the reduction, which will be completed by fiscal year 2015, will save more than $6 billion.
The decision represents part of an effort to find $100 billion in savings by in the next five years. Other steps include ending the Marines costly Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program and the procurement of the Air Force’s SLAMRAAM surface to air missile.
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