Save the U.S. DOD?

The Army will suffer some significant cuts. Besides taking a look at the tooth-to-tail ratio, we have to consider that fixing Army personnel problems has to be done as we fix those of the Navy, Marines and Air Force.

There are several things that could be done to thin out the dead wood, and keep only those people that want to defend the country. This includes getting rid of the 900-some flag ranks in significant numbers.

First, stop making the military a long-term career for so many. We do need officer and NCO cadre that keep the tribal knowledge and in-turn retire after a number of years, but how many?

Anyone that serves gets put into a 401k program. That way, they leave with something, even after 4 years or 8 years of service.

Note that we fought two wars using ground troops who just months before, were going through basic training.

Stop providing benefits for getting married and having kids. Want to raise a family? Do it on your own time. After you leave the service or if you are some of the very few that stay on for 20-30 years.

Make the Reserves and the National Guard a great, potential direction after leaving active duty.

Make pilots stay in that job only. We do not need to be a pilot training ground only to get 1500 hours (or less) out of our investment.

Most pilots should fly, for years. That, and many pilot positions do not need to be commissioned officers. Warrant officers are fine.

These only a few of the ways to make the billions we spend on the military every year produce a return on the investment that is better combat capability and much less of a socialist-nanny-state utopia.

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