A Shrinking U.S. Military Will Impact It's Strategic Obligations

The Growing Problem Of A Shrinking Military -- Mackenzie Eaglen, US News and World Report

Defense budget cuts weaken the U.S. in a host of areas.

The military’s most recent budget request provides even more detail about the consequences of continued automatic spending cuts. Yet the U.S. military’s challenges did not start with the automatic budget cuts known as sequestration; they have been underway for years, as the Armed Forces struggle to meet ever-increasing global demands and challenges with fewer forces and resources.

This growing strain prompted Navy Admiral Samuel Locklear, U.S. Pacific Command chief, to tell Congress that the Navy’s attack submarine requirements are going unmet in the Pacific right now. With the Navy’s attack submarine fleet on a path to drop from 55 today to 42 by 2029 — under the most optimistic scenario — outcomes only promise to get worse.

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My Comment: Mackenzie Eaglen is correct to point out that .... the growing gap between strategic obligations (demand) and military capacity (a key part of supply) outlined by these senior officers is troubling. What is even more troubling is that sequestration cuts are going to continue thereby further diminishing U.S. strategic obligations .... and all of this is being done with almost zero debate or discussion.