AMERICAN DEFENSE AND COST CONSIDERATIONS

As part of my normal Sunday morning behavior pattern I scan a variety of internet websites and view the Sunday morning political news programs.

Once again I was struck by the fact that the CBS Face The Nation program seems to be taking on an obvious harder edge. Host Bob Schieffer has become an attack-dog with his guests, such as Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) on this morning’s program. I thought moderators such as Schieffer were to probe, but not render harsh personal opinions. CBS is clearly changing its tenor in the effort to achieve better ratings.

Moving on to this morning’s internet surfing, let me draw your attention to three interesting articles, which may contribute to a better understanding of military expenditures, military deployment, and our defense capabilities world-wide. All three links are noted below, but if you do not want to take the time to read each, I will summarize them in the following paragraphs and conclude with my opinion.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/us/costly-osprey-symbol-of-fight-to-cut-pentagon.html?hp=&pagewanted=print

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/general-us-troops-uganda-mission-likely-to-last-until-rebel-leader-is-caught/2011/11/18/gIQAOKeScN_print.html

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2011/11/18/armys_new_toy_strike_anywhere_on_earth_in_one_hour/print

The first article from The New York Times addresses the changing mission of the Marine Corps and the Corps’ efforts to sell the costly V-232 Osprey $70 million dollar aircraft program. Essentially the article addresses the significance of the influences of the Military Industrial Complex against cuts in military budget expenditures expected in the coming months. I, on the other hand, see this as a good opportunity to shift spending priorities for the Marine Corps away from outdated mission expenditures for amphibious equipment to the modern troop deployment Osprey.

The Washington Post article reminds us of the recent deployment of 100 Special Forces personnel into Uganda, and now we learn that a "small number” are assigned to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, too. I see mission-creep developing here. Remember President Obama has just announced that 2,400 Marines will also be deployed to Australia shortly.

Allow me to paraphrase something Rep. Ron Paul said this morning on Face The Nation: With American military now posted in 130 foreign countries on some 900 different bases it is certainly time for our government to re-examine the necessity for commitments of this extent. It is obvious to your Commander that reductions in Defense Department spending are appropriate, prudent, and necessary.

Lastly is the Townhall.com article by Katie Pavich announcing the success of the test flight of the DARPA Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle (HTV)-2 by the Army. The hypersonic missile travels at least five times the speed of sound, or 3,805 mph at sea level. It is capable of striking "anywhere on Earth in as little as an hour.” This one weapon could totally change the way military actions and Wars are fought in the future. This single weapon could provide us with a great opportunity to reduce Defense expenditures significantly.

In conclusion after all the smoke clears there will be many opportunities to address Defense capabilities and spending as a result of the evolving shifts in the missions of each military unit, and evolution of the weapons of War. Recognizing that your Commander is a committed hawk, we just should never just say "No" to any discussion of Defense spending expenditures until an objective analysis can be conducted away from the political influences being brought to bear by the Military Industrial Complex.

COMMANDER GRANGER