Defense Department cuts

[nikimcbee]

Okay so we don't have money for every program under the sun and it's time to visit the military budget. Everybody wants to cut the military budget, so....

What would you cut? Where would you trim the fat out of the budget (military)?

What programs do we need/ don't need?
What bases to we close/ keep open?
How big should our force be?
Vets benifits?

How about the CIA budget?

What do you guys think? It's open to anybody (all nations, not just US), as it seems everybody is hard up for cash.

The floor is open.

[GoldenRivet]

First i would cut into the cash we are sending out to develop OTHER nations' military assets.

say... a 30% reduction across the board.

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

First i would cut into the cash we are sending out to develop OTHER nations' military assets.

say... a 30% reduction across the board.

You mean like Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel?

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

You mean like Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel?

Sure.

Any nation we are pouring money into in order to help them advance their military potency.

we obviously need to have a massive phase out of Iraq and Afghanaland. I think we have done just about all we can do in both locations.

Defense is an expensive business, and its hard to justify virtually any budget cuts.

If i were to trim the fat from the budget, the trimming would end with defense cuts... not start there.

I think there are a lot of special interest items around the nation that need to be trimmed, i think politicians should take a pay cut to the point that it would attract only the truly patriotic individuals in this nation.

Current congressional salary is just over $170K... i say eliminate the salary. They are in session for about 150 days a year right? cool... then the new pay rate will be $400 per day in session. daily per diem will be $1.55/hour for each 24 hour period in session. Automatic enrollment in Obamacare.

I could sit and get a lot of ideas.

[GoldenRivet]

Use of Air Force One should be limited to international trips, or during domestic trips in a time of crisis.

All domestic trips of over 300 miles can be relegated to a Gulfstream V

save a lot on the fuel bill that way

[nikimcbee]

I don't see why we need new ACs, why not just maintain the old ones. I guess the sub force is doing its best to adapt by concerting SSBNs to SSGNs.

I wonder how much it costs to mothball some this high tech stuff? (like the F-22, say) Just find a big warehouse and store them.

I'd cut smaller bases. Why does OR need an air national guard. As anti-military as OR is, they sure freaked out about cutting them.
How many bases are there in the interior of the country ( not weapon's depots).

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

Use of Air Force One should be limited to international trips, or during domestic trips in a time of crisis.

All domestic trips of over 300 miles can be relegated to a Gulfstream V

save a lot on the fuel bill that way

First thing I would do is send Nancy Pelosi the bill for her AF usage.

[gimpy117]

well first of all...we need to reign in the JSF and other defense programs that keep going grossly over budget.

[TLAM Strike]

Can the JSF and replace it with the Silent Eagle and stealth Hornet.
Cancel the DDX and restart DDG 51 Production. Consider non Aegis DDG platform (big missile boxes but no radar).
Reevaluate the LCS program and consider buying overseas designs like the Danish Knud Rasmusen class.
Place the B-2 in reserve.
Non nuclear guided missile submarines. Big punch low cost.

[Jimbuna]

Decommission a few carriers and their airwings then give them to your favourite cousins across the pond....that should save a few $

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Decommission a few carriers and their airwings then give them to your favourite cousins across the pond....that should save a few $

The Royal Navy would need to bring back Press Gangs just to get enough sailors to crew them!

Plus changing all the operating manuals and signage in to British English would bankrupt the Royal Navy.

[the_tyrant]

Public transit could make money, why can't the military do the same?

just a random thought

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by the_tyrant

Public transit could make money, why can't the military do the same?

just a random thought

You mean like Tribute?



I Like It!

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

The Royal Navy would need to bring back Press Gangs just to get enough sailors to crew them!

Plus changing all the operating manuals and signage in to British English would bankrupt the Royal Navy.

LOL

[razark]

Originally Posted by the_tyrant

Public transit could make money, why can't the military do the same?

just a random thought

Are we renting out the military to the highest bidder? How exactly would that work?

I can think of ways to use the military to gain income, but it's not exactly a list of the most ethical methods.