Current SA/ROTC Cadets: Sorry you missed the fun

[LineInTheSand]

I think this would also be a good time to unload your real estate in that region as well... I suspect a lot of folks will be leaving soon when their contracts are cut...

Please do!!! My wife and I are planning to buy in a year.

 

[Aglahad]

Considering the lack of overlap between AD and Reserves, it's a bad plan. We will likely still have a Reserve force that is no more competent.

I agree that increasing AT dates blindly will not yield better competency results in every unit. My unit is strictly a medical battalion with a support company that is literally almost all physicians, RNs, dietitians, medics, physical therapists, CRNAs, etc etc (probably 80% officers), and most of the soldiers do their same reserve job in the civilian world. Since the unit is non-deployable and acts as a PROFIS-"Professional Filler System" (A lot of medical on active duty are PROFIS as well) we just lend out soldiers for deployments, aid missions or AD CONUS mobilizations. I do not see how spending extended weeks in a training CSH (Combat Support Hospital) with a unit that won't deploy and soldiers who are already do their job daily will improve competency. Additionally, many of the medical professionals have already been AD and have done deployments (I think nearly all the physicians have done tours)...

Maybe it would be more beneficial for combat arms units in the NG or MP units in the reserve?

 

[Pima]

goaliedad,

I don't think you will see job cuts, instead you will see the continuation of hiring freeze, and attrition for the DC area. The fact is this has been on their mind for 6-9 months +, when the debt ceiling became an issue the 1st time.

It appears all of the services have on the table the 22 day furlough and most of them will do 1 day a week from April to Sept. equaling a 20% pay cut.

As others have said there will be a trickle down impact on the economy, because when you are not refurbishing hardware, or updating it, than a company out there is not making the parts. The fact is the DC bubble is safer than let's say Timbucktoo where the factory make the parts. If GE doesn't have the same amount of orders for engines because they are going to canabilize them, GE is going to have to address that from a profit issue due to the fact they have to answer to their share holders.

As far as the Blue Angel memo being in the news, let's be real, it would be hard to keep that secret for very long. You have many people who have a connection to that community, they will tell their family, their friends, and their friends will tell their friends. By the end of just one day, the town will know, and probably every guy/gal that flies a fighter. It is just the way it works, the hand is forced. Even more so in this day of the internet and forums.

 

[MemberLG]

. . .
Maybe it [More AT] would be more beneficial for combat arms units in the NG or MP units in the reserve?

Extra days along won't do anything other than creating civilian employment issues.

The RC is supposed on 6 year cycle where year 1-2 is reset, year 3-4 collective training, and year 5-6 ready cycle. Right now more training days are used when they are deploying out of cycle.

If we get extra training days, will also need corresponding operational and maintenance funding to conduct traininig.

 

[Pima]

Here's what the AF is proposing, and yes, it appears that the Thunderbirds are on the list.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2013/02/airforce-sequestration-020613w
http://militarytimes.com/static/projects/pages/airforce-sequestration.pdf

In total, sequestration would cut about 203,000 flying hours, and that means it would take six months to repair the damage to readiness levels, the presentation says. Civilians could be furloughed for 22 days, translating into a roughly 20 percent loss in bi-weekly pay for each furloughed civilian.

Sequestration would affect more than 30 weapons systems, postpone 146 depot inductions and cause 85 engines to be pulled from service. The cuts would also lead to a 75 percent reduction in the sustainment of the Defense Satellite Communications System, and that would hurt military communications worldwide.

Certain radar sites for missile warning and space surveillance would see operations reduced from 24 to 8 hours per day. Further, the Air Force could not participate with certain missions outside of Afghanistan, such as the continuous bomber presence in the Pacific.

.

I have read elsewhere that the beloved Tops In Blue will be cut too!

They also have stated in there somewhere that they will go back to manning the gates with SP instead of security companies, which will hit in a small way every town from an employment issue. People tend to forget that just in the AF alone there are 182K civilians who will at the very lease take a 20% pay reduction, and for others they will become unemployed. DC area can handle that, but somewhere like Del Rio, or Goldsboro where the town is economically tied to the base, it becomes a big issue. You don't live in Del Rio because of great employment opportunities.

I think we will hear the R's squawking alot, but in the end they know, esp. congressman their careers will be on the line since a yr from now they will be up for re-election again, and add in the economy, gas prices, plus now cutting the defense budget because they don't understand the debt ceiling issue, will take it on them in the voting booth. They don't want to lose their jobs either.

 

[usnabgo08]

As far as the Blue Angel memo being in the news, let's be real, it would be hard to keep that secret for very long.

I would agree...the issue isn't the Blue Angels (especially since they are non-operational squadron), it is the additional brief that talked about SPECIFIC unit readiness.

 

[Pima]

I am not disagreeing with you, but I see it differently regarding the link I posted.

If Congress can’t reach a deal in the next few weeks, the Navy is prepared to stop deployments to the Caribbean and South American, limit European deployments to only those supporting ballistic missile defense missions, reduce the number of ships and aircraft deployed and reduce the number of days at sea and flying hours across the entire force, according to the memo.

In addition, the Navy would stop training, flying and other operations for the majority of ships and aircraft preparing to deploy, “unless funded by Fleet Commander’s proposed offsets.”

Nowhere in there did they disclose movements. Seriously, Caribbean and So America are not mission essential.

Reduce days at sea and flying hours, are vague to say the least. It could be they reduce days at sea by 7 days, but it doesn't say anything about movements.

Maybe I missed something in my link, did they say which specific units will be hit besides the Blue Angels?

I am not trying to be argumentative, I am trying to get how Washington Times article informed the world of the Navy's readiness?

I look at what my other link, AF, which was unclassified and I think telling the world that some comm squadrons will go from 24/7 to 8/7 , and 203K flight hrs or Army saying the same proportionately for Helos, are scarier than the the release of information that the Navy won't be in the Caribbean.

Yet, they didn't release which 85 engines would be hit from a pool of airframes, and the proportions. Nor how the 203K hrs will break down, or which comm squadrons will go from 24 to 8. That is all still classified.

No offense, but what in that link perturbs you from a SPECIFIC readiness issue?

Is there another link that says exactly which carrier will be hit?

I really am asking in kindness. and the desire to learn, maybe I didn't see the forest for the trees in my link. Maybe you through your experience see a different perspective, and we all need to learn from posters with unique insight.

 

[LineInTheSand]

It's all politics. The Air Force wants to scare Congressman. Do you think they'd REALLY talk about readiness in the public spotlight... if it was true.

"Yes, we'd also like to have the Russians on the call... here's where we'll have gaps in our defense."


Now, do we need 24 hour coverage if we can afford 8 hours of coverage? Hmmm.

 

[SamAca10]

Nowhere in there did they disclose movements. Seriously, Caribbean and So America are not mission essential.

I totally agree with you as far as the Navy goes, but we will definitely still need cutters down there (but probably not 378's)

 

[LineInTheSand]

I totally agree with you as far as the Navy goes, but we will definitely still need cutters down there (but probably not 378's)

As far as the U.S. is concerned those are VERY important areas.... unless you'd love some more cocaine and angry (often criminal) migrants... but does it have to be the big bulky Navy? Nope.

Do we really need PANAMAX every year? Nope.

 

[Pima]

CG is CG and a different mission than the Navy. CG is also, if I am correct, Homeland, not DoD. The Caribbean and So America makes sense from a mission perspective for CG, it doesn't make sense from DoD perspective for the Navy...I sincerely doubt Cuba or Venezuela will be invading us anytime soon.

If I am right that it is Homeland and not DoD; anyone in CG should be happy that they are not in the DoD right now!

Before I get flamed for the Cuba remark, I will be the 1st to say there is no reason we need Eilson and Elmendorf if we are cutting numbers, they could consolidate. Yet again, it is more about politics than it is about costs.

While we are on the topic of cuts, the AF is cutting the Tops, how about all of the bands at the WH? Yes, it is nominal in costs, but still have you ever met any of them that perform? As a realtor I sold homes to 2 of them, want to talk about a sweet life in the military, that is the sweet life.

I would rather see that money go to operations, than them playing at a State Dinner, Xmas party, etc. However, that is a fool's wish.

 

[LineInTheSand]

CG is CG and a different mission than the Navy. CG is also, if I am correct, Homeland, not DoD. The Caribbean and So America makes sense from a mission perspective for CG, it doesn't make sense from DoD perspective for the Navy...I sincerely doubt Cuba or Venezuela will be invading us anytime soon.

If I am right that it is Homeland and not DoD; anyone in CG should be happy that they are not in the DoD right now!

Before I get flames for the Cuba remark, I will be the 1st to say there is no reason we need Eilson and Elmendorf if we are cutting numbers, they could consolidate. Yet again, it is more about politics than it is about costs.

That's what I think you're missing. These cuts are across the board. This isn't a DOD centric issue. 22 days of furlows are not only in DOD. Each department (State, Treasury, Agriculture, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, etc) are talking to their employees about cuts, about slow downs, about hiring freezes, etc.

We get this idea that the DOD is the big loser here, and they will certainly feel it, but this is going on all over. It could affect a park or a national forest you're planning to visit. It would affect the price of food (who do you think inspects facilities, operations). "Mommy, we're going to the Smithsonian with school..." Are they going to be open?

So, yes, I was happy not to be part of DOD as a Coastie, but it wasn't because of the money. DOD spends more on stupid projects than the Coast Guard's annual budget. No, for this, everyone is going to feel it.

But you are correct, the Navy doesn't need to be there, although the Navy does man a nice check on the base at GTMO.

 

[Pima]

LITS,

My apologies, I have not heard that Homeland, State, Treasury are also going to furlough their govt contractors for 22 days.

Can you please link me that information? I have seen nothing in the media that any of those depts will take a 10% HIT.

No offense, but talking and officially informing are 2 different things. The DoD has already informed them this is what will happen come April 1st.

We have known for a couple of weeks that Bullet will go 4 day work week very soon for 5 months. Back last summer when they kicked the debt ceiling can, it was talk, back in Oct. it was more talking, but more specific, in Dec.it was informing the what if. This is now what will be.

I am not saying I disagree with you regarding other cuts, I am just saying I have yet to hear/read about it in the media, and would like a link to learn.

 

[LineInTheSand]

LITS,

My apologies, I have not heard that Homeland, State, Treasury are also going to furlough their govt contractors for 22 days.

Can you please link me that information? I have seen nothing in the media that any of those depts will take a 10% HIT.

No offense, but talking and officially informing are 2 different things. The DoD has already informed them this is what will happen come April 1st.

We have known for a couple of weeks that Bullet will go 4 day work week very soon for 5 months. Back last summer when they kicked the debt ceiling can, it was talk, back in Oct. it was more talking, but more specific, in Dec.it was informing the what if. This is now what will be.

I am not saying I disagree with you regarding other cuts, I am just saying I have yet to hear/read about it in the media, and would like a link to learn.

Not government contractors, civilian employees. I won't say who, but it was someone very high up who deals with this stuff.

 

[Pima]

Fair enough!

I am sure WMAL will talk about it soon on drive by radio.

10% DoD cut, and now all fed agencies too, goaliedad is correct...housing prices will plummet here come Oct.

 

[usnabgo08]

Pima,

The specific units were listed in the additional brief (slide show) that went along with the memo. Similarly to AF (the links you provided), the Navy provided their own brief but listed specific units that would be affected. The way the press release was written implied that the media received a copy of both.

The memo and an accompanying slide show, sent out by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert last week, show plans to cut all funding for the Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron and the country’s oldest flying aerobatic team.

In no way would I spread this brief, because I don't personally think it is for public consumption.

 

[LineInTheSand]

Pima,

The specific units were listed in the additional brief (slide show) that went along with the memo. Similarly to AF (the links you provided), the Navy provided their own brief but listed specific units that would be affected. The way the press release was written implied that the media received a copy of both.



In no way would I spread this brief, because I don't personally think it is for public consumption.

Don't think it is, or don't think it should be? I'm sure you can understand why the U.S. tax payer should know.

 

[usnabgo08]

I'm sure you can understand why the U.S. tax payer should know.

Of course I can, except they don't need to know what specific unit(s) it is affecting. Breaking it down my platform type or in aggregate numbers (i.e. more generalized) is what was contained in the memo (not in the separate brief) and is what a U.S. taxpayer is entitled to.

 

[LineInTheSand]

I agree with that.

 

[Hurricane12]

Are you speaking of Col Desgrosseilliers?

If so, I remember him as a Major and when he got his Silver Star. Also I would bet he is talking about the Clinton Era drawdown....which while bad...was no where near as bad as it was during the Carter years....

Yes. He does a couple platoon-sized discussion groups with Lieutenants throughout the POI at TBS.

If that's "not that bad," I don't want to know what "actually bad" is.