U.S. Army Says It Is Rethinking How Much Artillery It Will Need For A Potential Large-Scale Future Fight

 

 Business Insider: Watching Ukraine burn through ammo fighting Russia has the US Army rethinking how much it really needs for when war breaks out 

 * Both sides of the war in Ukraine have burned through insane amounts of ammo, straining stockpiles globally. 

 * The war has prompted the US Army to rethink how much it should be producing and stockpiling, both for itself and its allies. 

 * A US official told Business Insider the Army is both ramping up production and modernizing its process. 

With both sides of the war in Ukraine burning through ammo at astonishing rates, the US Army says it's rethinking what it needs for a potential large-scale future fight. 

But with production, particularly of 155mm artillery shells, ramping up, the Army is also looking at how to modernize its ongoing manufacturing and stockpiles — both to continue supporting allies like Ukraine and Israel, as well as have enough ammo should the US find itself in a high-intensity conflict of its own, especially against a major military power.  

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WNU Editor: The way I see it. If Ukraine runs out of artillery shells, they will lose this war. That is the lesson that the US Army should walk away with.

US Army Scrambles To Boost Electronic Warfare Readiness After Watching Russia And Ukraine Jam Each Other's Drones

A US Army's 1st Infantry Division soldier trains on electronic-warfare equipment on September 6, 2019. US Army/Staff Sgt. Simon Mictizic

Insider: The US Army is rushing to rearm its electronic warriors after watching Russia and Ukraine jam each other's drones 

* Electronic warfare has played a prominent role during the war in Ukraine. 

* Ukraine and Russia are both using EW to interfere with each other's operations and aid their own.

* That has added urgency to the US Army's efforts to update its own EW weaponry. 

After years of neglecting electronic warfare, the US Army is rushing to revitalize its jamming capabilities. 

The catalyst is the Ukraine war, where cheap but plentiful drones are playing a vital — almost decisive — role, doing everything from spotting for artillery to destroying armored vehicles. 

At the same time, jamming has emerged as perhaps the most effective counter-drone weapon: Ukraine may be losing 10,000 drones a month — many to Russian electronic-warfare systems — while it strives to boost its jamming capabilities. Rather than using scarce and expensive antiaircraft missiles and guns to shoot down a drone that may cost only a few hundred dollars, it's easier to disrupt the link between the drone and its operator, causing it to crash.  

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US Army Scrambles To Boost Electronic Warfare Readiness 

20 Years Behind, US Army To Up Its EW Capability As Russia Takes A Massive Lead In Electronic Warfare -- EurAsian Times  

US Scrambles To Boost Electronic Warfare Readiness As Russia-Ukraine Drone Jamming Raises Concerns -- Benzinga 

Ukraine war driving US Army electronic warfare development, Bush says -- C4ISRNET

The New Face Of The U.S. Army?

.@USArmy Maj. Rachel Jones found solace after coming out as a transgender female. Her journey from battling depression & suicidal thoughts to embracing authenticity inspires us all. #WhyWeServe https://t.co/9llx7skuC3

— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) July 2, 2023

Trans Army Major discusses LGBTQ pride and diversity in the military.

This was posted to the IG account of the U.S. Army Sustainment Command.

The world is laughing at us. pic.twitter.com/a5kzXG0dMF

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 2, 2023

Summit News: “The World Is Laughing At Us”: U.S. Army Shares Story Of Suicidally Depressed Transgender Major  

What a stunning and brave message to send to America’s military enemies. 

As part of a ‘Pride’ celebration, The U.S. Army shared to social media the story of a transgender Major who now identifies as a woman after previously being suicidally depressed. 

The DoD tweeted the following post linking to the story of Maj. Rachel Jones, claiming ‘she’ has ’embraced authenticity’ and should ‘inspire us all’ after becoming head of the U.S. Army Sustainment Command’s Cyber Division: 

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WNU Editor: OMG!!!!! This is definitely not your father's or grandfather's army.

The U.S. Army's Top Enlisted Leader Says Soldiers Under ‘Enormous Strain’

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael A. Grinston meets with international sergeant majors at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., March 15, 2023. (Laura Buchta/Army)  

Army Times: Soldiers under ‘enormous strain,’ warns Army’s top enlisted leader 

Even though America’s longest war has drawn to an end, soldiers continue to face a breakneck operational tempo, and for the time being, there seems to be little chance of respite as the Army is left short-handed amid a recruiting crisis. 

“We have an enormous strain on soldiers,” Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston said earlier this month. “We’re busier now than we ever have been.” 

The Army’s top enlisted leader recently issued the dire warning at the Fires Symposium in Lawton, Oklahoma, calling current strains on personnel a “huge concern” for him, according to a release by the Association of the United States Army. 

The high operations tempo, coupled with the shrinking size of the force, means that soldiers are being asked to do more with less.  

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WNU Editor: The message that I get from the above is clear. The U.S. Army is not ready for a full-peer conflict against a country like Russia or China.

Hundreds Of U.S. Army Aviation Officers Ready To Leave Told They Have 3 More Years On Their Contracts

A CH-47 Chinook flight engineer during a training session over Cyprus in 2020.Maj. Robert Fellingham / 12th Combat Aviation Brigade / U.S. Army, file  

NBC: Army aviators, ready to leave the military, are told they owe 3 more years instead 

The Army reinterpreted part of their contracts after a legal review, derailing the futures of hundreds of officers who thought their contracts were up. 

Hundreds of Army aviation officers who were set to leave the military are being held to another three years of service after they say the branch quietly reinterpreted part of their contract amid retention and recruitment issues. 

 The shift has sparked an uproar among the more than 600 affected active-duty commissioned officers, including some who say their plans to start families, launch businesses and begin their civilian lives have been suddenly derailed. 

“We are now completely in limbo,” said a captain who had scheduled his wedding around thinking he would be leaving the military this spring. That captain and three other active-duty aviation officers who spoke to NBC News spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation.  

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Update #1: Amid Recruiting Crisis, DoD “Reinterprets” Army Aviators’ Contracts, Tells Them They Owe Three More Years (The Gateway Pundit)  

Update #2: Army’s about-face on contracts extends aviation officers’ service (Army Times)  

WNU Editor: I would be freaking out if I was in their shoes.

Why Is The U.S. Army Allowing Men To Shower With Women?

 

WNU Editor: This is not your grandfather's army.

U.S. Ramping Up Artillery Production

 

WNU Editor: The AP covers the US Army's attempts to boost artillery shell production .... Unprepared for long war, US Army under gun to make more ammo (AP). 

The U.S. still has a long way to go to catch-up .... Going to war? Good news! The United States is 13 years behind in ammunition production, NYT reports (Business Insider).

US Army To Change 6 Army Bases Named After Confederate Leaders In The Coming Weeks

AP photo  

Axios: 6 Army bases named after Confederate leaders get dates for new names 

Several U.S. Army bases will officially get their new names in the coming months as the military seeks to redesignate bases that currently honor Confederate leaders. 

Driving the news: Fort Hood, the major Army base in central Texas, will be redesignated as Fort Cavazos on May 9, the base announced Friday. 

* The new name honors Gen. Richard Cavazos, the first Latino four-star general and first Latino brigadier general. The base is currently named for John Bell Hood, a Confederate general. 

* Fort Pickett in Virginia was renamed Fort Barfoot on Friday.  

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WNU Editor: The changes will be the following: 

Fort Hodd will be changed to Fort Cavazos 

Fort Pickett will be changed to Fort Barfoot 

Fort Bragg will be changed to Fort Liberty 

Fort Lee will be renamed Fort Gregg-Adam 

Fort Benning will be renamed Fort Moore 

Fort Rucker will be renamed Fort Novosel

US Army Pulls ‘Be All You Can Be’ Ads After On-Screen Narrator Jonathan Majors Arrested

 

Army Times: Army pulls ‘Be All You Can Be’ ads after on-screen narrator arrested 

The Army paused its new multi-million dollar advertising campaign Sunday after its featured actor was arrested the day before, officials said. 

Jonathan Majors, who stars as the on-screen narrator in the first wave of “Be All You Can Be” advertisements, faces charges of assault, strangulation and harassment, a New York Police Department official told Army Times. 

The police official said officers responded to a 911 call shortly after 11:00 a.m. at an apartment in the city’s Chelsea neighborhood, where they found Majors and a 30-year-old woman with injuries to her head and neck. Officers did a “preliminary investigation” and arrested the actor.  

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Update #1: Army pulls recruiting ads after Jonathan Majors’ arrest (AP) 

Update #2: Jonathan Majors Army recruiting ads pulled after domestic assault arrest (NYPost) 

WNU Editor: All the US army ads have been pulled. But you can see parts of it in the commentary on the ad below. 

US Army & USMC Practice Trench Warfare

Prior to 2022…how often did the US Army & USMC practice trench warfare like this? Are they now? https://t.co/K3Xclty2eA

— cdrsalamander (@cdrsalamander) March 6, 2023

WNU Editor: It looks like the Russia - Ukraine war is a wake-up call for the US military to get ready for trench warfare.

U.S. Army Had To Change The Name Of Its New Rifle From M5 To M7

Soldiers of the 4th Ranger Training Battalion, Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, demonstrate the U.S. Army’s newest weapon during a Rangers in Action Ceremony September 16, 2022, at Victory Pond, Fort Benning, Georgia. (Patrick A. Albright/U.S. Army) 

Military.com: The Army Forced to Change the Name of Its New Rifle 

The Army is changing the name of its new rifle after accidentally taking a name from an unrelated existing weapon, the service announced Wednesday. 

The service's upcoming M5 from Sig Sauer will now be called the M7 after it was discovered Colt Industries also makes a weapon called the M5. The light machine gun set to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, or SAW, the M250, will not change. 

"The Army originally chose the designation XM5 as the name of the new rifle in March," a service spokesperson said in a statement. "Since then, the service learned that the M5 name is used by Colt Industries for one of its 5.56mm carbines."  

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Update: New name selected for Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon (Army Times)  

WNU Editor: This is something that I did not know. This new rifle is currently called the XM7. The “X” used in the weapon nomenclature is to distinguish it as a weapon not yet fielded. Once fielded the firearm will drop the “X.”

U.S. Army To Triple The Production Of 155mm Artillery Shells By 2025

A Marine with Echo Battery, 2d Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, carries 155mm artillery shells during Exercise Rolling Thunder 22-2 at Fort Bragg, N.C., March 30, 2022. (Ryan Ramsammy/U.S. Marine Corps) 

 Defense News: Army plans ‘dramatic’ ammo production boost as Ukraine drains stocks 

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. ― As donations to Ukraine strain allied munitions stockpiles, the U.S. Army is seeking a “dramatic” ramp up in monthly production of 155mm artillery shells over the next three years, its chief weapons buyer said Saturday. 

Those plans hinge on emergency spending for Ukraine that Congress already approved, but also on the more than $600 million in industrial investments in the next tranche of aid and multiyear authorities in the annual defense policy bill still under debate in Congress, according to Doug Bush, the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, technology and logistics.

“Funding is already in place, contracts are underway to basically triple 155mm production,” Bush told Defense News on the sidelines of the Reagan National Defense Forum. “There’s funding on the Hill, in the supplemental, to more than double that again. That would take a period of years. 

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WNU editor: The US Army's goal is to be manufacturing 42,000 155mm artillery shells per month by 2025. The problem is that Ukraine is going through 10,000 artillery shells per day.

General Dynamics Reveals The Abramsx, The US Army's Next-Generation Army Tank

 

SandBoxx: AbramsX tank launches kamikaze drones and goes electric 

The venerable M1 Abrams has been America’s core main battle tank for more than 40 years, thanks to a long series of incremental upgrades that have allowed it to remain one of the world’s most fearsome pieces of armor. 

But as foreign militaries roll out next-generation smart tanks that shoot, move, and communicate on a different plane than their predecessors, General Dynamics is premiering AbramsX: an Abrams for a new era of warfighting. 

A demonstrator version of the tank made its debut on the show floor of the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting this month. 

Painted in an eye-catching grey-and-black sawtooth color scheme, AbramsX aims to address some of the Army’s longstanding beefs with the M1, while building in cutting-edge technology and protection including AI and drone launchers. 

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WNU Editor: The specs and capabilities on this tank are impressive. 

General Dynamics Reveals The Abramsx, The US Army's Next-Generation Army Tank  

Did General Dynamics Just Make the Abrams Tank Obsolete? -- Sofrep  

The AbramsX Is Ready for High-Speed Warfare -- National Interest  

General Dynamics Reveals Next-Generation Army Tank, Could Replace M1 Abrams -- Zero Hedge The 

Army Got a Peek at the 'AbramsX' Tank, Which Will Weigh Less and Need a Smaller Crew -- Coffee or Die

U.S. Army Struggles To Find Recruits

Future soldiers recite the oath of enlistment during a mass enlistment ceremony in Glendale, Ariz. (Alun Thomas/Army)  

CNBC: The U.S. Army is struggling to find the recruits its needs to win the fight over the future 

* The U.S. Army. fell short of its 2022 recruitment goal by 25%, and recently cut its projection for its total force for this year by 10,000. 

* U.S. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said at the CNBC Work Summit on Wednesday that it’s become harder for the military to compete for recruits. 

* Like all large employees, a tight labor market is a factor, but the health issues of young Americans including obesity, and misperceptions about serving after 20 years of war, are big issues to overcome. 

The U.S. Army is spending more than ever before on technology to replace an aging military infrastructure, from artificial intelligence to new fighting machines moving 1980s tanks off the field of battle. 

But the Secretary of the U.S. Army says the nation risks falling behind in the race against China if it can’t recruit enough Americans into the service to be trained on how national defense is being remade for future conflicts. 

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WNU Editor: The odds to find suitable recruits is dwindling .... The US Army is struggling to recruit as most of Gen Z is ineligible to serve due to factors like obesity, drug use, and tattoos (Business Insider).

US Army Recruitment Misses Goal By 25%

USA Today/AP: US Army misses recruiting goal by 15,000 soldiers in one of its 'most challenging' years yet 

WASHINGTON — The Army fell about 15,000 soldiers — or 25% — short of its recruitment goal this year, officials confirmed Friday, despite a frantic effort to make up the widely expected gap in a year when all the military services struggled in a tight jobs market to find young people willing and fit to enlist. 

While the Army was the only service that didn't meet its target, all of the others had to dig deep into their pools of delayed entry applicants, which will put them behind as they begin the next recruiting year on Saturday. 

The worsening problem stirs debate about whether America's fighting force should be restructured or reduced in size if the services can't recruit enough, and could also put added pressure on the National Guard and Reserve to help meet mission requirements.  

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WNU Editor: Pushing this type of ideology and culture certainly did not help .... US Army Recruitment Falters – Misses Goal By 25% As Woke Ideology Takes Over (Zero Hedge)

U.S. Army Suggets Food Stamps For Soldiers Struggling With Inflation

FOX News: Army suggests food stamps for soldiers battling inflation 

Guidance for soldiers also points them to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program The U.S. Army has released guidance for soldiers as they fight inflation, including a suggestion that they take advantage of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. 

SNAP, a benefit for low-income Americans, is a program for which "service members and their families may be eligible," the guidance said, pointing soldiers and their families to the SNAP website and phone number. SNAP is one of several options discussed as part of the Army's Financial Readiness Program.  

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Update #1: Army suggests soldiers fighting inflation go on food stamps (NYPost)  

Update #2: U.S. Army recommends food stamps for soldiers struggling with inflation (NBC)  

WNU Editor: Not a great way to raise morale for your soldiers.

Here Is Why The US Army’s Chinook Helicopters Are Grounded

Two Chinooks in April in Mississippi. U.S. Air National Guard / Charles Wesley 

 Popular Science: The Army’s Chinook helicopters are grounded. Here’s why.  

Four reported engine fires occurred over the past 90 days, the Army says. Here's everything to know about these heavy lift helicopters and their recent problems. 

The US Army operates hundreds of large helicopters called Chinooks. The flying machine’s job is straightforward and unflashy: To transport people or equipment. But the Chinook fleet is not going anywhere right now, because the Army has grounded them. The problem leading to the grounding is a series of engine fires—there have been four reported fires over the past 90 days, according to an Army spokesperson. 

The news of the vast grounding was reported earlier this week by The Wall Street Journal. 

Here’s what to know about this unique military helicopter and why it was grounded.  

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WNU Editor: Now that the problem has been identified, I am sure the Army's Chinook helicopter fleet will soon be returning to active duty.

US Army Grounds Entire Fleet Of 400 Chinook Helicopters Over Engine Fires

 

CNN: US Army grounds fleet of Chinook helicopters after engine fires 

(CNN)The Army grounded its entire fleet of Chinook helicopters after a "small number" of engines fires were discovered, according to an Army spokeswoman. 

The Army identified the cause of the engine fires as a fuel leak among an "isolated number" of Boeing H-47 Chinook helicopters, Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said, adding that the service is taking steps to fix the issue. 

No injuries or deaths occurred as a result of the fuel leaks or engine fires, Smith said. Even so, the Army temporarily grounded the fleet of approximately 400 Chinooks "out of an abundance of caution," Smith said. 

The Army's workhorse helicopter, which has been in service since the 1960s, will be grounded until the corrective steps are complete. 

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US Army Grounds Entire Fleet Of 400 Chinook Helicopters Over Engine Fires  

US Army Grounds Entire Fleet of 400 Chinook Helicopters -- Bloomberg  

Army grounds hundreds of Chinook helicopters following engine fires -- CBS  

Army grounds entire fleet of Chinook helicopters over engine fires: report -- FOX News  

Army grounds Chinook helicopter fleet after "small number of engine fires" -- Axios  

U.S. Army grounds its entire fleet of Chinook helicopters over engine fires -- Market Watch  

US Army Grounds Entire Fleet Of Chinook Helicopters After Reports Of "Engine Fires" -- Zero Hedge

Retired US Three-Star Army General Is Suspended From Mentoring Job For Mocking Jill Biden's Tweet On Abortion Rights

This screenshot of a since-deleted tweet posted by Retired Lt. Gen. Gary Volesky shows his response to a June 24 tweet by first lady Jill Biden on abortion. 

Daily Mail: Retired three-star Army general is suspended from mentoring job for mocking Jill Biden tweet slamming end of Roe v. Wade by replying: 'Glad to see you finally know what a woman is' 

* The offensive tweet may have cost the three star army general his $92 per hour mentoring job as the army conducts an internal investigation 

* Volesky responded to the First Lady's tweet less than a half an hour it posted 

* The word 'woman' and its definition has become a controversial topic that has prompted a culture war between conservatives and Democrats, who seemingly have dodged the answer for fear of angering woke pro-trans mobs 

* Volesky, who earned a silver star of valor while serving in Iraq, was in charge of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, before his retirement in 2020 

A retired three-star Army general was suspended from a high paying mentoring job for mocking a recent tweet Jill Biden made regarding the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade.

'Glad to see you finally know what a woman is,' was the response Lieutenant General Gary Volesky tweeted on Friday. 

The tweet, which appeared to reference ongoing arguments over transgender rights and gender-neutral language, has since been removed. 

The offensive remark may have cost the retired army general his cushy $92 hour mentoring role as the Army conducts its own internal investigation.  

Read more .... 

Retired US Three-Star Army General Is Suspended From Mentoring Job For Mocking Jill Biden's Tweet On Abortion Rights  

Retired three-star general suspended from Army contract after tweet that appeared to mock Jill Biden -- USA Today  

Army suspends general after tweet appearing to mock Jill Biden -- Axios  

US army general suspended for mocking Jill Biden’s support of abortion rights -- The Guardian  

A retired army general was suspended from his federal contract position after he mocked Jill Biden's statement on abortion rights -- Insider  

Retired three-star general Gary Volesky suspended after tweet at Jill Biden -- NYPost

U.S. Army Getting Smaller With New Defense Budget

Maj. Gen. Antonio Aguto, then the commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Divsion, swears in new recruits from the Hinesville Recruiting Center during the Twilight Tattoo on May 18, 2021, on Fort Stewart, Georgia. (Army/Sgt. Lance Hartung)  

Army Times: Biden budget would mean smallest Army since WWII 

Amid a major land war in Europe, the Biden administration’s fiscal 2023 budget request would temporarily shrink the active duty Army to 473,000 troops if enacted by Congress. 

That could leave the service at its smallest size since 1940, when it had just over 269,000 troops. Other historical lows include an authorized 476,000 in fiscal 2017 and nearly 478,000 in fiscal 1999 at the nadir of the post-Cold War drawdown. 

The administration’s proposed budget would: 

* Reduce the active duty force from 485,000 — the end-strength authorized in the fiscal 2022 bill — to 473,000. 

* Maintain the Army National Guard’s current strength of 336,500 and the Army Reserve’s 189,500 troops. 

* Reduce the total Army, across all three components, to 998,500 soldiers. It’s not clear when the force last dipped below 1,000,000 troops.  

Read more .... 

U.S. Army Getting Smaller With New Defense Budget  

U.S. Army Proposes to Cut Its Troop Numbers Below 1 Million -- Bloomberg  

Flat Army Budget Request Would Fund a Smaller Force -- Defense One 

In About-Face, Army Expects to Shrink Next Year -- Defense One  

Army Sticks With Modernization Plan, But Budget Trends Are Not Encouraging -- Forbes  

US Army Proposes To Cut Troop Levels Under 1 Million For The First Time In 20 Years -- Zero Hedge