>>Valerie Mccallister
The U.S. prides itself on its military’s strength, size and tactics. Currently, the U.S. is not actively participating in a large ground war, and subsequently the Obama administration is suggesting military spending cuts.
According to NBC News, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said, “our future force will assume additional risk in certain areas,” citing gaps in training and maintenance and a smaller force. Some see these potential cuts as threats to U.S. security. However, research suggests that even though the Army would be reduced in number of infantrymen (less than a 100,000, or pre-World War II size), the Special Operations forces would grow from 66,000 to 69,700 to deal with counterterrorism and crisis response.
Since our military rarely — if ever — battles another country’s military anymore, our main concern is terrorism. Consequently, we should make budget cuts due to the fact that not as much training and equipment is needed when a smaller force is fighting terrorism, as opposed to another country’s military.
With the proposed spending cuts, much equipment would be taken out or retired. However, not only is the operation of retired equipment expensive, it isn’t needed as much during peacetime. What many Americans fail to realize in attacking the Obama Administration is that these retired devices are being replaced with more cost-efficient machinery with greater range and endurance. Why not spend less and get better quality?
On the home front, these proposed spending cuts would affect the way military families budget. For instance, they would receive a one percent raise in salary, but may be required to dish out a little money for housing or other like expenses. These budget cuts may also affect military students, such as Nicole Eldridge.
“The budget cuts add a challenge not only to our training, but also to our futures,” Eldridge said. “We may need to invest in options that require us to carry a full-time job in the civilian world.”
Since our country is currently in peace, some may ask how likely we are to face another large ground battle. Military spending cuts should take place during peace times. Our country’s debt is already out of control, so why is it necessary to spend excess money to protect the “what ifs”? Our Special Operations are not taking a cut, but rather growing from these proposed cuts. Special Operations members are the ones who are stationed in countries around the world in case something were to break out. Yes, the home front may suffer from cuts, but the military is still operating and training. Therefore, military spending cuts are needed, not only because it will reduce national debt, but because there is no need to spend money on a large scale until it’s needed.
Historically, after large ground battles such as World Wars I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, the U.S. has made budget cuts. Spending should decrease during time of peace to ensure money is available during war time. TAS
