Having the biggest and best military ever to ensure we don’t get into a War and at the same time cutting funding is not incompatible. It is actually very wise and do-able.
The reality is, we’re spending more on defense than we ever have (as a percentage of GDP Defense spending is slipping down from 3.5% of GDP). The reality is that we are getting less available aircraft, ships, missiles, and service members for that increase in spending.
That is wrong.
To rectify this mess, it first starts with re-setting or “plucking” military leadership. That means firing Uniformed Generals and Admirals and also career civilian senior executives.
As far as military leadership, Chairman of the Joint Staff, CQ Brown certainly has to go. It’s very likely he is on the list to be fired. Admiral Franchetti, the Chief of Naval Operations is also likely to be sacked.
P.S. one of the first things one does when they are promoted to General or Flag Officer is that they sign a letter of resignation, it’s kept on file and then dated when they are asked for their resignation.
The next thing is cutting costs. Research and Development is very important and we have lost the art of R&D. Around $146 Billion a year goes to R&D of which about $6-10 Billion goes to what are known as Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) as part of Research and Development. The big three are the Mitre Corporation, Rand, and The Aerospace Corporation. I worked at one of those for six years after leaving Government.
Hellbound and Down 