It shows some interesting highlights from the FY2015 DOD budget.
Some of the key provisions include:
Military Pay and Benefits:
$3 increase in select pharmacy co-pays (no increase in mail-order generic pharmaceuticals)
2015 military pay increase at 1 percent, with a pay freeze for General and Flag Officers for FY15
1% decrease in basic allowance for housing (BAH) for FY15
Combatting Sexual Assault in the Military:
The NDAA eliminates the “good soldier defense” -- a consideration of general military character toward the probability of innocence in sexual assault prosecutions
Victims would also be consulted as to their preference for prosecuting offenders by court-martial or through civilian channels
Military Readiness:
Provides over $212 billion for operation and maintenance requirements funding activities such as ship refueling and overhaul, depot maintenance, and facilities sustainment
Further addresses critical readiness gaps associated with depot maintenance, flying hour programs and base operations support caused by sequestration and repeated resource cuts
Includes authorization for a pilot program that would increase the re-utilization of excess equipment in Afghanistan by enabling the transport to key partners for use in other missions, such as those against ISIL
Defeating ISIL and Other Terrorist Organizations:
Authorizes the $3.4 billion request for sustaining U.S. personnel forward-deployed to the Middle East
Iraq Train and Equip: The NDAA authorizes the President’s $1.6 billion request to train and equip Iraqi security forces for a two-year program with robust oversight and notification requirements
Syria Train and Equip: The NDAA extends the McKeon amendment to the CR to train and equip moderate Syrian forces to combat ISIL
Counter Terrorism Partnerships Fund (CTPF): The NDAA authorizes $1.3 billion for a 2 year program to build partner anti-terrorism capacity in the Middle East and Africa, except for Iraq (which is funded elsewhere in the OCO request), and to allow U.S. forces to providing enabling support to foreign partners undertaking counterterrorism activities
Afghanistan:
Establishes a report on post-2014 Afghanistan
Extends the Commander’s Emergency Response Program (CERP) in Afghanistan
Requires a plan for monitoring DoD funded construction activities in Afghanistan post-2014
Requires a report on the financial management capacity of the Afghan ministries of Defense and Interior
Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit an ANSF sustainment plan through the end of FY18
Reforming the Department of Defense:
Restores the Office of Net Assessment (ONA) to its independent status, with the Office reporting directly to the Secretary of Defense and increases the ONA budget for FY15 by $10 million to $18.9 million
Directs the Secretary of Defense to report on the feasibility of reducing or consolidating combatant command functions by FY20 and a plan to implement a periodic review and analysis of management headquarters
Directs the Under Secretary for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, and the senior acquisition executives for the Navy and the Air Force, to issue policies to the Defense agencies and the military services implementing a standard checklist to be completed before the issuance of a solicitation for any new contract for services or exercising an option under an existing contract for servicing
Facing Current Threats and Preparing for New Challenges:
Refuels the USS George Washington, a carrier with 25 years of useful life left
Authorizes incremental funding for a new San Antonio Class Amphibious Ship
Authorizes limited purchase of EA-18G Growlers, AWACS aircraft, and additional MQ-9 Reapers
Requires the modernization of two class cruisers, while prohibiting the “lay up” of half the cruiser fleet
Prohibits the retirement of any A-10 aircraft in FY15, while allowing the Secretary of Defense to place up to 36 aircraft into a back-up inventory status subject to a review by DoD’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation directorate and a certification by the Secretary of Defense
Prevent the transfer of any National Guard Apache helicopters in FY15
Commissions GAO to study the appropriate balance between the Active force and the Guard.
Blocks National Guard end strength reductions, as well as the re-distribution of important Guard aviation assets are blocked in FY15
Prohibits funds to be used for large-scale purchases of biofuels, unless they are cost competitive
Strengthening Cyber Operations and Information:
Directs the President to maintain a list of nation-states or individuals that engage in economic or industrial espionage using cyber tools
Allows the President to impose sanctions on such individuals or nation-states
Asia Rebalance:
Requires a DoD study on Taiwan’s defense capabilities
Requires an independent assessment on countering anti-access area denial capabilities
Expresses a sense of Congress on the importance of our security relationships with Japan and the Republic of Korea
Defeating al Qaeda:
Requires a report on the national security planning guidance to continue to deny safe havens to al Qaeda, and an independent assessment of al Qaeda, its affiliates, associated groups, and adherents
Guantanamo Bay:
Maintains prohibitions associated with the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility, including the bi-partisan prohibitions on the transfer of detainees to the United States and on the construction of terrorist detention facilities in the United States
Stability in the Middle East:
Expresses congressional belief that the U.S. should maintain a robust forward presence and posture to support US allies and partners in the Arabian Gulf region - to include basing that enables U.S. operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria; and to deter Iran Israel:
Invests in vital systems like Iron Dome, including reaffirming the requirement for U.S. based co-production
Provides significant resources above the President’s request for other Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense programs
Africa:
Requires a report on the “new normal” and general mission requirements for AFRICOM and the Marine Security Guard program
Requires a report on the readiness implications of the Army’s Regionally Aligned Brigade concept in Africa, Europe and Russia:
Prohibits U.S. military cooperation with the Russian military until the Secretary of Defense certifies the Russian military is no longer illegally occupying Crimea, and is abiding by the terms of the Minsk Protocol regarding the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine
Bars National Nuclear Security Administration from transferring military-grade technology with Russia
Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a report on Congress on a strategy and plans to enhance security and stability in Europe, including reassuring NATO members of U.S. commitments to collective self-defense and enhancing U.S. security cooperation with NATO partner nations
The NDAA expresses the Sense of Congress that lethal and nonlethal assistance should be provided to Ukraine, and requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on such assistance that has been requested by and provided to Ukraine
The NDAA increases the budget for the DOD’s Warsaw Initiative Fund/Partnership for Peace (WIF/PfP) program from $24.4 million to $34.4 million
Authorizes $1 billion for the European Reassurance Initiative, including $75 million for programs, activities, and assistance to support Ukraine.
Authorizes $220 million for the development of a U.S. next generation propulsion system by 2019, as well as includes a prohibition on the Secretary of Defense for buying launch services using Russian rocket engines other than those already under contract as of February 1, 2014.
Nuclear Enterprise:
Retains all 450 intercontinental ballistic missile silos in at least a “warm” status that enables them to become operational at a future date
The NDAA continues previous efforts to right-size the federal workforce at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and streamline bureaucracy
Includes language that lowers the statutory cap on federal employees at NNSA by more than 7% to a total of 1,690 positions
Just a few things that caught my eye:
I wasn't aware there was such a thing as "moderate" Syrian rebels. So, I don't understand how funding any of that helps things.
The item of letting the accuser pick the accused punishment sounds odd.
Yes, let us bring up Taiwan's defense capabilities. I don't need a study though. We need to make sure their military is up to scratch. Trading with Communist China should mean we ignore their regional bullying. $18 Trillion in debt or not.
I would de-fund Afghanistan. That is not going to end well. Pouring more money into a hugely corrupt system will not help.
There is a lot of force structure shuffling were the Hill is going against DOD wishes. Pretty bad when there are so many things where Congress, just does not believe, what the 4-stars claim. Good (A-10). Bad (keeping cruisers). Cruisers cost too much for what they provide.
There is a lot of tip-toeing in the Tac-Air language. EA-18Gs seem more like an effort to keep the Super Hornet line on life support. No matter what, emerging threats will be able to destroy Super Hornets, F-35s and be a problem for the can't-be-everywhere, too-few, combat-coded F-22s.
All additional money invested in NATO is a waste. Let Europe stand on their own two feet. A republic (well not really), if they can keep it.
---"Expresses congressional belief that the U.S. should maintain a robust forward presence and posture to support US allies and partners in the Arabian Gulf region - to include basing that enables U.S. operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria; and to deter Iran Israel:"---
I would: back Israel and Jordan (another good ally) to the hilt. Certainly help out the usual suspects inside the gulf as needed. They left out Egypt. Kind of important, basket case or no.
Nuclear capability. We need a replacement for the Minuteman. We need a new tac-nuke which is of course modular to be a dial-a-nuke that can also be used on the Minuteman replacement. We need a lot of brand new, bread-and-butter things for the nuclear enterprise. Not flashy, but usable.
Africa. No Ebola strike force. Wrong use for the DOD.
Not mentioned as a general security posture? Protect our borders. Hopefully the new Congress will shoot down every single proposal that Obama puts forward. I consider his administration--by their very actions--as something that continually works against American National Security Interests.
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