U.S. Rank And File Are Voicing Their Concerns On How Budget Cuts Will Impact Them

HAILING THE HIGGINS - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates talks to the crew members aboard the destroyer USS Higgins in San Diego, Aug 12, 2010. The destroyer, recently returned from an around-the-world deployment, was the first ship to arrive in Haiti, following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in January 2010. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Elena Pence

Sailors Press Gates On How Defense Budget Hits Them -- Yahoo News/Reuters

SAN DIEGO, California (Reuters) – For sailors aboard the USS Higgins docked in San Diego, a popular question for visiting Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday was how the austerity drive he announced this week would affect them.

"We are fighting two wars and so the budget is a huge deal for us," said Naval Petty Officer Michael Allen after Gates gave him and the rest of the crew aboard the guided-missile destroyer a commemorative coin.

"On our level there are things we can do (to cut costs) but we don't make the decisions about it," Allen said.

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My Comment: Memo from Sec. of Defense Gates to the White House .... the 'natives' are getting restless.

Seriously .... I am surprised that the rank and file, their families, and those who are concerned with where the U.S. Defense Department is going .... I have been wondering on why they have been quiet for so long. But as the above story reveals .... this sentiment is starting to change. Expect even more questions and 'concerns' to be voiced when the next round of budget cuts and elimination of benefits start to hit the rank and file soldier and his family.