Thankfully we’re not fighting a bloody war half way around the world . . . no, wait?
(WaTi) — A new congressional report spells out in detail how the military would become “hollow” if automatic spending cuts of $1 trillion start eating away at force structure next year.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has warned repeatedly in recent weeks of a weakened, or hollow, military if a congressional super-committee fails to agree on deficit reductions by Nov. 23.
By law, the stalemate would require across-the-board slashing at all federal agencies, including the Pentagon.
Mr. Panetta has not offered many details. But a 14-page analysis by the Republican majority staff of the Housed Armed Services Committee is now filling in the blanks.
According to the report, the base defense budget, minus actual war costs, would plunge from a planned $596 billion in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2012, to $491 billion.
The report notes that the Army and Marine Corps would lose 200,000 troops, bringing active strength “well below” pre-Sept. 11, 2001, levels.
The report bluntly states that the armed forces would not be able to carry out its essential mission.
“Resultant force structure is insufficient to decisively win an engagement in one theater while defending vital national interests in another,” states the internal report, prepared for Committee Chairman Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, California Republican.