Since I expect the Obama defense budget to be one of the things most attacked by Republicans I decided it would be the next section of the Budget that I’d read. It is jumping ahead quite a bit, but it will satisfy both my curiosity and provide some context for my readers. This section is eight pages long, starting at page 81.
The defense department budget starts by setting out its goals: decreasing 2013 budget by 1% from the 2012 budget, implement the President’s new defense strategy, and put the department on the path to seeing $486.9 billion in savings by 2021.
The budget delivers a political speech that cites leaving Iraq, decimating Al Qaida, and winding down in Afghanistan as opportunities to focus on getting our fiscal house in order. As part of putting the house in order, Obama ordered the Department of Defense to do an internal review designed to align the budget with a clear strategy focused on our national interests.
The strategy includes:
· Strengthening our presence in the Asia Pacific region.
· Continuing vigilance in the Middle East.
· Participating as a “force multiplier” in organizations like NATO.
· Getting rid of Cold War Era systems.
· Investing in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.
· Supporting counterterrorism and countering Weapons of Mass Destruction. (“We will also maintain the ability to operate in environments where adversaries try to deny us access.”)
· Giving priority to “wounded warriors, service members’ mental health, and the well-being of military families.”
Cost savings is discussed: ” DOD will spend $486.9 billion less than was planned in last year’s Budget. The Department will realize these savings through targeted reductions in force structure and modernization; reprioritization of key missions and the requirements that support them; and continued reforms and efficiencies in acquisition, management, and other business practices.”
Specific Budget items:
· $176.2 billion to support the operations, training and maintenance of troops.
· $3.7 billion to fund unmanned air surveillance systems, such as the Predator and Reaper,
· $2 billion for upgrading tactical vehicles including the newest and most effective version of armor protection.
· $4.1 billion for the Virginia class submarine program.
· “The Budget sustains and enhances all aspects of DOD’s cybersecurity capabilities.” (No dollar amount is specified.)
· “The Budget helps to counter the challenge of weapons of mass destruction by funding improved infrastructure and modernization of detection, neutralization, and treatment capabilities.” (No specified amount.)
· “The Budget helps to counter the challenge of weapons of mass destruction by funding improved infrastructure and modernization of detection, neutralization, and treatment capabilities.” (No specified amount.)
· “Modernizing the Nation’s nuclear weapons complex and supporting the goals of the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR)” (No specified amount, budget shared with National Nuclear Security Administration.)
· “Maintain continuous at-sea deployments of ballistic missile submarines in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the ability to surge additional submarines during crises; procure the lead ship for the OHIO Replacement program in 2021; sustain the Air Force’s Minuteman III missile through 2030; and modernize the heavy bomber force so it can serve for the indefinite future.” (No specified amount.)
· ” $9.7 billion for ballistic missile defense.”
The budget then goes into how this administration will support service members and their families:
· “1.7 percent increase to basic pay in calendar year 2013, the full increase authorized by current law.”
· “$48.7 billion for the DOD Unified Medical Budget to support the Military Health System, which provides medical care for over 9.6 million eligible beneficiaries.”
· “Key Administration priorities include enhancing the well-being and psychological health of military families, ensuring excellence in military children’s education, developing career and educational opportunities for military spouses, and ensuring child care availability and quality for the Armed Forces.”
· “$128 million for Arlington National Cemetery improvements. These funds will be combined with the $46 million requested directly for Arlington National Cemetery.”
Looking to the future, the President proposes investments in research and development:
· “$69.4 billion for research, development, test, and evaluation, including $11.9 billion for early-stage science and technology programs.”
· “The funding proposed in the Budget will be awarded through competitive processes, with experts guiding the choices of research topics to be undertaken, and reviewing and selecting projects for funding based on proposals submitted by universities, non-profit organizations, for-profit companies, and Government laboratories.”
The final section is all about cuts and reforms to streamline the military:
· “Integrates active and reserve forces to provide a smaller but more agile military force.”
· “Eliminate several Brigade Combat Teams.”
· Eliminates “130 transport aircraft and seven cruisers, over the next five years.”
· Requests “authority for DOD to commence two additional rounds of base realignment and closure (BRAC)”
· “Introduces new TRICARE copays and fees to help constrain the cost of healthcare.”
· “Modifies pharmacy copays to encourage the use of less expensive mail-order and military treatment facility pharmacies.”
· Implements “modest annual fees for TRICARE beneficiaries over age 65 when they transition to Medicare coverage.”
· “Reforms will reduce DOD costs over five years by an estimated $12.9 billion in discretionary funding and $4.7 billion in mandatory savings in the Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund.”
· “The Budget also includes the Administration’s proposal for a Military Retirement Modernization Commission, which, if enacted, will recommend improvements to the military retirement system.”
Regarding weapons systems:
· The Joint Strike Fighter program will continue at a reduced level.
· The C-27 airlift aircraft, High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle Recapitalization, and a new weather satellite will be eliminated.
· The Navy’s e Joint High Speed Vessel program will be “truncated” after buying 10 ships.
Regarding Procurement:
· The Budget requests $280 billion for DOD contracts in 2013.
· “DOD is: 1) decreasing the use of high-risk contracts based on time-and-materials and labor-hours; 2) continuing to develop the acquisition workforce to provide needed oversight; 3) eliminating or restructuring lower-priority acquisitions; 4) reducing contract spending on management support services; 5) taking full advantage of contract vehicles that reflect the Government’s buying leverage; 6) increasing the use of strategic sourcing; 7) increasing small business participation; and 8) improving financial management systems.”
· “DOD will have Statements of Budgetary Resources for general funds “audit ready” by 2014.”
· “The Budget includes approximately $1 billion for energy conservation investments.”
· “$150 million for the Energy Conservation Investment Program, which improves the energy efficiency of DOD facilities worldwide.”
· “$32 million … for the Installation Energy Test Bed Program to demonstrate new energy technologies to reduce risk, overcome barriers to deployment, and facilitate wide-scale commercialization.”
I don’t feel any less safe after reading this budget. Personally, I‘d like to see more cuts.
The defense department budget starts by setting out its goals: decreasing 2013 budget by 1% from the 2012 budget, implement the President’s new defense strategy, and put the department on the path to seeing $486.9 billion in savings by 2021.
The budget delivers a political speech that cites leaving Iraq, decimating Al Qaida, and winding down in Afghanistan as opportunities to focus on getting our fiscal house in order. As part of putting the house in order, Obama ordered the Department of Defense to do an internal review designed to align the budget with a clear strategy focused on our national interests.
The strategy includes:
· Strengthening our presence in the Asia Pacific region.
· Continuing vigilance in the Middle East.
· Participating as a “force multiplier” in organizations like NATO.
· Getting rid of Cold War Era systems.
· Investing in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.
· Supporting counterterrorism and countering Weapons of Mass Destruction. (“We will also maintain the ability to operate in environments where adversaries try to deny us access.”)
· Giving priority to “wounded warriors, service members’ mental health, and the well-being of military families.”
Cost savings is discussed: ” DOD will spend $486.9 billion less than was planned in last year’s Budget. The Department will realize these savings through targeted reductions in force structure and modernization; reprioritization of key missions and the requirements that support them; and continued reforms and efficiencies in acquisition, management, and other business practices.”
Specific Budget items:
· $176.2 billion to support the operations, training and maintenance of troops.
· $3.7 billion to fund unmanned air surveillance systems, such as the Predator and Reaper,
· $2 billion for upgrading tactical vehicles including the newest and most effective version of armor protection.
· $4.1 billion for the Virginia class submarine program.
· “The Budget sustains and enhances all aspects of DOD’s cybersecurity capabilities.” (No dollar amount is specified.)
· “The Budget helps to counter the challenge of weapons of mass destruction by funding improved infrastructure and modernization of detection, neutralization, and treatment capabilities.” (No specified amount.)
· “The Budget helps to counter the challenge of weapons of mass destruction by funding improved infrastructure and modernization of detection, neutralization, and treatment capabilities.” (No specified amount.)
· “Modernizing the Nation’s nuclear weapons complex and supporting the goals of the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR)” (No specified amount, budget shared with National Nuclear Security Administration.)
· “Maintain continuous at-sea deployments of ballistic missile submarines in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the ability to surge additional submarines during crises; procure the lead ship for the OHIO Replacement program in 2021; sustain the Air Force’s Minuteman III missile through 2030; and modernize the heavy bomber force so it can serve for the indefinite future.” (No specified amount.)
· ” $9.7 billion for ballistic missile defense.”
The budget then goes into how this administration will support service members and their families:
· “1.7 percent increase to basic pay in calendar year 2013, the full increase authorized by current law.”
· “$48.7 billion for the DOD Unified Medical Budget to support the Military Health System, which provides medical care for over 9.6 million eligible beneficiaries.”
· “Key Administration priorities include enhancing the well-being and psychological health of military families, ensuring excellence in military children’s education, developing career and educational opportunities for military spouses, and ensuring child care availability and quality for the Armed Forces.”
· “$128 million for Arlington National Cemetery improvements. These funds will be combined with the $46 million requested directly for Arlington National Cemetery.”
Looking to the future, the President proposes investments in research and development:
· “$69.4 billion for research, development, test, and evaluation, including $11.9 billion for early-stage science and technology programs.”
· “The funding proposed in the Budget will be awarded through competitive processes, with experts guiding the choices of research topics to be undertaken, and reviewing and selecting projects for funding based on proposals submitted by universities, non-profit organizations, for-profit companies, and Government laboratories.”
The final section is all about cuts and reforms to streamline the military:
· “Integrates active and reserve forces to provide a smaller but more agile military force.”
· “Eliminate several Brigade Combat Teams.”
· Eliminates “130 transport aircraft and seven cruisers, over the next five years.”
· Requests “authority for DOD to commence two additional rounds of base realignment and closure (BRAC)”
· “Introduces new TRICARE copays and fees to help constrain the cost of healthcare.”
· “Modifies pharmacy copays to encourage the use of less expensive mail-order and military treatment facility pharmacies.”
· Implements “modest annual fees for TRICARE beneficiaries over age 65 when they transition to Medicare coverage.”
· “Reforms will reduce DOD costs over five years by an estimated $12.9 billion in discretionary funding and $4.7 billion in mandatory savings in the Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund.”
· “The Budget also includes the Administration’s proposal for a Military Retirement Modernization Commission, which, if enacted, will recommend improvements to the military retirement system.”
Regarding weapons systems:
· The Joint Strike Fighter program will continue at a reduced level.
· The C-27 airlift aircraft, High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle Recapitalization, and a new weather satellite will be eliminated.
· The Navy’s e Joint High Speed Vessel program will be “truncated” after buying 10 ships.
Regarding Procurement:
· The Budget requests $280 billion for DOD contracts in 2013.
· “DOD is: 1) decreasing the use of high-risk contracts based on time-and-materials and labor-hours; 2) continuing to develop the acquisition workforce to provide needed oversight; 3) eliminating or restructuring lower-priority acquisitions; 4) reducing contract spending on management support services; 5) taking full advantage of contract vehicles that reflect the Government’s buying leverage; 6) increasing the use of strategic sourcing; 7) increasing small business participation; and 8) improving financial management systems.”
· “DOD will have Statements of Budgetary Resources for general funds “audit ready” by 2014.”
· “The Budget includes approximately $1 billion for energy conservation investments.”
· “$150 million for the Energy Conservation Investment Program, which improves the energy efficiency of DOD facilities worldwide.”
· “$32 million … for the Installation Energy Test Bed Program to demonstrate new energy technologies to reduce risk, overcome barriers to deployment, and facilitate wide-scale commercialization.”
I don’t feel any less safe after reading this budget. Personally, I‘d like to see more cuts.
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