09-08-2004, 03:48 PM
With the caveat that the publicly disclosed and discussed numbers have a bunch of imbedded strings tied to various things oc Congressional interest . . .
How is the military doing?
Here is a thought. In 1999, IIRC, budget was 260 billion for all four armed services and the great beached whale of DoD civilian departmental stuff and such. Much of that money was tied into CONTRACTS that, if cancelled, had hefty penalty clauses.
I saw some numbers on the AFN News the other day that this year's budget is around 400 billion. I do not know how much of that is for the current Operations/War in Iraq and Afghanistan, and how much is otherwise. There are any number of unhappy conservatives about who decry the shell game in re the declaration of the costs of the Iraq Ops.
How otherwise is "it" doing?
That is a hell of a good question. It is also too vague to answer concisely.
The Air Force is still incredibly good at flying planes and blowing stuff up. Great at hauling beans, bodies, and bullets. Outstanding at "doing that Space Thing." Short on leadership.
The Army is pretty damned good at breaking things and blowing things up. Rather proficient at a variety of nation building tasks. Not so hot at the whole Information Campaign stuff. Excellent at training. Excellent at disciplined fires. They even took one for the team and cancelled the Comanche, multi billion helicopter program.
The Navy is doing just fine at maintaining and operating its ships, reducing manning to be more "cost effective," and at firing those who are weak commanders. In the past 2 years, over 20 Commanding Officers have been relieved, to include recently the CO of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). Small problem with hitting another ship. Accountability. Still good at that bit, holding to standards that have stood the test of time. Good at flying planes, at blowing things up, at fixing things, at doing humanitarian operations, embargoes, and surveillance.
The Marines. Doing well, and doing good. A Few Good Men (and Women) doing extraordinary things. Finest combat force on the planet earth. 'Nuff said.
The various acquisition agencies? The usual, trying to find ways to buy a Corvette with a Buick budget.
Basically, they are doing just fine.
Quote:relatively good information on how the military is doing
How is the military doing?
Here is a thought. In 1999, IIRC, budget was 260 billion for all four armed services and the great beached whale of DoD civilian departmental stuff and such. Much of that money was tied into CONTRACTS that, if cancelled, had hefty penalty clauses.
I saw some numbers on the AFN News the other day that this year's budget is around 400 billion. I do not know how much of that is for the current Operations/War in Iraq and Afghanistan, and how much is otherwise. There are any number of unhappy conservatives about who decry the shell game in re the declaration of the costs of the Iraq Ops.
How otherwise is "it" doing?
That is a hell of a good question. It is also too vague to answer concisely.
The Air Force is still incredibly good at flying planes and blowing stuff up. Great at hauling beans, bodies, and bullets. Outstanding at "doing that Space Thing." Short on leadership.
The Army is pretty damned good at breaking things and blowing things up. Rather proficient at a variety of nation building tasks. Not so hot at the whole Information Campaign stuff. Excellent at training. Excellent at disciplined fires. They even took one for the team and cancelled the Comanche, multi billion helicopter program.
The Navy is doing just fine at maintaining and operating its ships, reducing manning to be more "cost effective," and at firing those who are weak commanders. In the past 2 years, over 20 Commanding Officers have been relieved, to include recently the CO of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). Small problem with hitting another ship. Accountability. Still good at that bit, holding to standards that have stood the test of time. Good at flying planes, at blowing things up, at fixing things, at doing humanitarian operations, embargoes, and surveillance.
The Marines. Doing well, and doing good. A Few Good Men (and Women) doing extraordinary things. Finest combat force on the planet earth. 'Nuff said.
The various acquisition agencies? The usual, trying to find ways to buy a Corvette with a Buick budget.
Basically, they are doing just fine.
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete