Cutting Defense Spending Leaves U.S. Ill Prepared For Future, Says Panel

By Sarah Mamula - Talk Radio News Service

In our current state of economic concern and budget frugality, the notion of cutting defense spending is gaining popularity among Democrats and Republicans alike. However, the independent panel assigned to examine the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) says that in order for the U.S. military to make much needed changes, an increase in budget is vital.

Almost a week after presenting the panel’s recommendations to the House Armed Services Committee, former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley and former Defense Secretary William Perry came together once more Tuesday in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee to reemphasize the importance of modernization within the military.

“It’s important to plan a force that we’ll need 10 to 20 years ahead,” said Perry. 

The former Defense Secretary explained many of the panel’s recommendations, including sustaining additions to the U.S. ground forces, augmenting Air Force long-range strike capabilities and increasing maritime forces in the Western Pacific.

“What we have described as a need will be expensive,” said Perry. “But, deferring recapitalization could entail even greater expenses in the long run.”

Many committee members agreed with the panel’s advice regarding potential budget constraints that would deter improvements in U.S. defenses. 

“We are in the midst of a great national debate about the priorities and spending habits of our government driven by the mounting debt,” said Senator John McCain (R-Ariz). “For the first time in a decade, there’s a growing call for real cuts in defense spending and a willingness on both sides of the aisle to consider it.”

Defense Train Wreck Could Be Coming, Cautions Independent Panel

By Sarah Mamula - Talk Radio News Service

With future military engagements eminent, the independent panel assigned to examine the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), the Congressionally mandated overview of U.S. military policy, says that U.S. defense needs to be modernized in nearly every aspect. A report from the panel calls for more people, equipment and, ultimately, more money.

“Our current federal government structures, both executive and legislative, and in particular those related to security, were fashioned in the 1940s and they work at best imperfectly today,” said former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, who steers the panel along with former Defense Secretary William Perry. The pair testified this morning before the House Armed Services Committee Thursday.

The report states that “the aging of the inventories and equipment used by the services, the decline in the size of the Navy, escalating personnel entitlements, overhead and procurement costs, and the growing stress on the force mean that a train wreck is coming.” 

To avoid such a grim fate, Hadley and Perry recommended expanding personnel, acquisition and the overall force structure.

Rep. Howard McKeon (R-Calif.), the Ranking Member of the committee, applauded the panel’s conclusion, which stands in contrast to calls from many on Capitol Hill to reduce defense spending and the streamlined interpretation of military policy included in the QDR itself.

Despite the report’s answers on how the military should be improved, how to pay for such changes remains in question.