Forum on Plan for an Unstable Defense Future

MILITARY AFFAIRS FORUM

Military Affairs Committee

Date & Time:  Wednesday, Oct. 14, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Place:  La Quinta Inn | 1425 E. 27th St. | Tacoma 98421
Register: Register Online

Event Sponsor:

The event fee will be complimentary, hosted by our sponsor for invited Military Personnel who reserve with Janice Hutchins, (253) 683-4882 or janiceh@tacomachamber.org


AGENDA:
The Current State of Military Affairs in WA & How We Plan for an Unstable Future

Introduction:  Kristine’ Reeves,
Governor's Sector Lead & Director | Military & Defense Sector
Program Director | Defense Industry Adjustment Program
Executive Director | Washington Military Alliance

1. DoD’s Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) grant update by
James Evans, Program Manager, Defense Industry Adjustment, Department of Commerce

Military downsizing, future of the Army and force realignments are all making the news, but what about impacts to the defense businesses around the base supporting billions in the state economy?  Join us for a presentation on the state's efforts to “map” the DOD supply chain in WA, better prepare for defense budget cuts and support local communities.

2. Military compatible land use by
Jeff Wilson, Director, & Deanah Watson, Growth Management Services, Department of Commerce & Xandre Chateaubriand, Policy Advisory, Governor Inslee

Think JBLM is the only base in WA or the only county challenged by encroachment or incompatible land use?  Interested to see how other states are tackling this challenge or how WA is needs your help to do the same here?  Join us for an update on the report going to the legislature focused on taking steps to address this issue.


NEXT ACTIVITIES
November 12 John Anderson Military Citizen of Year with Rotary Club #8

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Visit the “Tacoma-Pierce Co. Veteran & Business Service” Facebook page.  Like the page to stay informed of workplace opportunities for transitioning vets and vets as well as current information.

Rep. A. Smith's Statement on Opposition to NDAA

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith released the following statement announcing his opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act:

Both Democrats and Republicans agree that the Budget Control Act caps are extremely damaging and as long as Congress fails to enact a solution, a variety of key national priorities will continue to suffer. I understand that finding a compromise to remove the caps has been elusive, but that does not justify the use of gimmicks to protect one part of the budget, and shortchange other portions that are vitally important to the future of our country. Even worse, this short-term work-around does not enable the Department of Defense to undertake long term planning or provide the certainty that they can count on such funding in the future.  I have great respect for Chairman Thornberry, but I cannot vote for this bill under these circumstances.

The National Defense Authorization Act has never been perfect. And it will never be perfect. What matters most is that, on balance, this bill represents a commitment to our national security, and to the individuals who we ask to stand watch and execute the missions necessary to ensure our security.  In today’s dangerous and unpredictable world, we must ensure that our military has the resources and tools that it needs to meet the threats of today as well as tomorrow.

However, that is just one piece of the puzzle. Maintaining our national security requires more than a strong military. If we do not have a strong economy, and build a solid foundation for future generations, then we cannot ensure our national security in the long term. If we stop investing in the American people, then we are undermining our national security and cutting short the promise of America. Unfortunately, the National Defense Authorization Act sends the message that we are only willing to fulfill half of that promise.

The White House has also made it clear that they will veto this bill as well as other appropriations bills that reflect a similar approach. Congress is wasting time with this dead-end approach. In the coming months, it is my hope that the House, Senate and President can come together and strike a compromise to remove the budget caps and move forward with a responsible approaching to budgeting.

BBB Serves with MilitaryLine

The BBB was the sponsoring organization at the last Military Affairs Forum.  Among info share with attendees was about their MilitaryLine:

(Click on Image for a Larger & Complete View)

Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment Listening Session

The South Sound Military & Communities Partnership (SSMCP) invites you to register and attend the Army Community Listening Session:  register here!

Army Community Listening Session

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (PST), McGavick Conference Center, Clover Park Tech College, Lakewood, WA

You should make your voice heard at the Army's listening session related to a potential reduction of up to 11,000 active duty and civilian contractors at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) under the Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment!

Are you military-connected?  A military spouse?  Veteran?  Civilian contractor?  A private business that enjoys military customers?  You need to speak up!

Comments will be taken on any issue of concern, including strategic considerations; costs and efficiencies; training facilities; power projection; readiness impacts; mission command; well-being; mission expansion; and community input.

This is the South Sound's and Washington State's last best opportunity to demonstrate the importance of JBLM operations to not only our local communities and economy, but also how WA supports its military presence and the real need to keep JBLM fully ready to serve as a power projection base on the West Coast.

If the full reduction at JBLM were put in effect, Pierce County has estimated it would result in a total income loss of $1.15 billion - $1.3 billion in Pierce and Thurston Counties.  Washington's Office of Financial Management (OFM) has estimated a loss of $20.47 million in retail sales tax in 2016 alone.  According to OFM, by2020, the loss would increase to $2.44 billion in personal income and $87.26 million in retail sales tax in the state.

Evergreen Elementary Receives Funding at Last

Language released today in the Fiscal Year 2015 Department of Defense Appro- priations Act includes $139 million for the construction, renovation, repair, and expansion of elementary and secondary public schools on military installations, including nearly $40 million for Evergreen Elementary located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Debbie LeBeau, superintendent of Clover Park School District, said We are extremely excited about the prospect of Evergreen Elementary receiving funding at last, and look forward to breaking ground on a new school for these students.

Funding was restored with the help of Rep. Denny Heck after sequestration cuts prevented original project.  Evergreen Elementary is a school recognized in the military community for its attention to students with special needs in education, and many service members request a compassionate assignment at JBLM so their child can attend Evergreen, Congressman Denny Heck, D-Wash., said. JBLM is located in the new 10th Congressional District, represented by Heck.

On April 4, 2014, Heck testified before the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, requesting the subcommittee fund the remaining schools on the list.  We need to complete what began in 2011, and fix the remaining school buildings originally identified as no longer sustainable. It is unacceptable to allow sequestration cuts to prevent the kids of our men and women in uniform from receiving an excellent education in a safe and updated facility.

In a 2011 analysis by the Department of Defense, 33 public school facilities on military installations across the country were classified as being in “poor condition.” As a result, the Fiscal Year 2011 Defense Appropriations Act began the process of funding the replacement of these public schools. Due to sequestration cuts, the funding only covered 28 of the 33 schools, with Evergreen Elementary as one of the five remaining unfunded projects.

There are about 80,000 students who attend public schools on military installations. Ninety-four percent of these students are the children of service members.

The Clover Park School District will construct the new school in coordination with the State of Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Joint Base Headquarters at JBLM, and will then own, operate, and maintain the newly constructed Evergreen Elementary.

McChord Included in C-17 Reduction Plans

The president's budget proposal announced earlier this month outlines a future rapid global mobility force structure that includes the retirement of the C-38 fleet and reduction of the C-130H, KC-135 and C-20 programs reports Capt. Kathleen Ferrero, Air Mobility Command Public Affairs and Claudette Ruolo, American Forces Press Service, who contributed to the article.

In addition, officials note the planned movement of 16 aircraft into backup inventory during fiscal year 2015 (see map for state-by-state data).  (Click on Image for a Larger and Complete View)



Over the next five years, the Air Force plans to remove almost 500 aircraft from its entire inventory to transition to a leaner force as it faces about $12.5 billion in budget cuts, according to officials.

Col. Todd Cargle, Air Mobility Command Programs Division chief, said the budget cuts are forcing the Air Force to make hard choices to meet rapid global mobility mission requirements within budget constraints.

"We needed to make sure we were putting forward the best possible recommendation to support the warfighter," Cargle said. "Every stakeholder -- four other major commands, the Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve -- at every level was at the table to shape this recommendation."

The budget calls for the closure of four active associate units (three existing units and one that was in the planning phases). Active associate units combine active duty with Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve resources.

Maj. Gen. Maryanne Miller, deputy to the chief of the Air Force Reserve, told Congress this month that the fiscal year 2015 proposed budget was "a transparent, collaborative Total Force planning effort maximizing the contributions of all three components."

It was also a collaborative decision to retire the C-38 fleet.

The Air Force argues that retiring entire fleets can save billions of dollars, because it saves the costs associated with infrastructure, logistics, personnel and base operating support. For example, the future retirement of the KC-10 fleet could save the DoD more than $2 billion across the Future Years Defense Plan, Cargle said.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh described the enormity of what $12 billion means to the budget in his latest "Airman to Airman" message.

"If we stop flying for the next two years ... completely, no flying hours at all in our AF for two years, we can pay [only] one year of the sequestration bill," said Welsh. "It's a big problem. ... we're working hard to fix it, but there's going to be tough choices that have to be made."

To face the challenge of the future security environment and dwindling budgets, Air Force senior leaders plan to shrink "capacity"-- or how much it can do at any one time, in order to maintain "capability"-- what the Air Force can do at any time.

For example, if the Congress agrees to the changes when they pass next fiscal year's National Defense Authorization Act, C-17A capacity will be reduced by placing some C-17s into backup inventory to not fly daily, but to still preserve strategic airlift capability if needed, Cargle said.

The fact that sequestration budget limits are scheduled to return in fiscal year 2016 cannot be ignored, Gen. Welsh told the House Armed Services Committee March 14.

"Every major decision reflected in our (fiscal 2015) budget proposal hurts," Welsh said. "Each of them reduces capability that our combatant commanders would love to have and believe they need. There are no more easy cuts."

DoD Releases Fiscal 2015 Budget Proposal and 2014 QDR

The 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), is being released today in conjunction with the proposed defense budget of $495.6 billion in discretionary budget authority to fund base defense programs in fiscal year 2015.

The 2014 QDR builds upon and updates the strategy submitted in January 2012, "Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense," preparing for the future by rebalancing our defense efforts in a period of fiscal challenges.

The QDR advances a broader strategic framework emphasizing three pillars - protect the homeland, to deter and defeat threats to the United States and to mitigate the effects of potential attacks and natural disasters; build security globally, to preserve regional stability, deter adversaries, support allies and partners, and cooperate with others to address common security challenges; and project power and win decisively, to defeat aggression, disrupt and destroy terrorist networks, and provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The QDR highlights the imperative for institutional reform to implement this strategy.  Controlling cost growth and generating greater efficiencies will allow the DoD to maximize its readiness and combat power over the long term.

"This QDR defines the historic transition unfolding throughout our defense enterprise.  As we move off the longest continuous war footing in our nation's history, this QDR explains how we will adapt, reshape, and rebalance our military for the challenges and opportunities of the future," said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

"Today's world requires a strategy that is neither budget driven nor budget blind.  We need a strategy that can be implemented with a realistic level of resources, and that is what this QDR provides," said Hagel.

The DoD budget request reflects a balance between readiness, capacity, and capability.  It seeks efficiencies, including another round of base realignment and closure, and slower growth in military compensation in order to free up funds to minimize cuts in force size and readiness. 

Even with these initiatives, the force gets smaller and modernization programs are streamlined under this budget with changes made in a manner that reflects the new QDR.  The net result is a military force that can fulfill the defense strategy, but with some increased levels of risk.  The department can manage these risks under the President's 2015 Budget plan, but risks would grow significantly if as current law requires sequester-level cuts return in 2016, if proposed reforms are not accepted, or if uncertainty over budget levels continues, asserts the press release.

Commenting on the DoD request for FY 2015, Hagel said, "This is a budget that recognizes the reality of the magnitude of our fiscal challenges, the dangerous world we live in, and the American military's unique and indispensable role in this country and in today's volatile world."                 

For Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) operations in FY 2015, the budget only includes a placeholder of $79 billion, an amount equal to the request for FY 2014.  Once conditions permit a decision about the scope of the enduring U.S. presence in Afghanistan, a formal budget amendment will be proposed to specify and fund OCO needs in FY 2015.

The request is $0.4 billion less than the enacted FY 2014 appropriation and is consistent with the current budget caps.  The Opportunity, Growth, and Security Initiative -- a government-wide initiative -- requests an additional $26 billion in FY 2015 to address significant readiness and modernization challenges. In the years from FY 2016 to FY 2019, the Department of Defense (DoD) is asking for funding that exceeds the current budget caps by a total of approximately $115 billion in order to meet defense requirements.

Sequestration Dance Continues

From today's Congressional hearing about sequestration, you may hear & see on YouTube this clip from the House Armed Services Committee meeting at which Cong. Derek Kilmer asked our Senior Military leaders about the impacts of sequestration and a potential government shutdown on our military readiness and DoD civilian workforce.

For a fuller overview of the hearing, including the quote of Cong. Kilmer's quip about sequestration, “it is a Latin word meaning stupid,” see this link to Defense News 09/18/2013.

Readers are reminded that sequestration cut $500 B. from the Defense budget in 2013, and proposes to continue by cutting $52 B./yr. X 10 years.

Army "Listening Session" Report

Here is a link to the presentation LTG Robert Brown gave to community leaders this morning about force structure changes (potential loss of up to 8,000 soldiers, inclusive of a 4,000 person Stryker Brigade - SBCT) expected to impact the Army this summer. The PowerPoint presentation is found under the "4/18/13 JBLM Briefing" subhead.

LTG Brown announced he would accept comments until May 1 to share with higher command.  For comments, contact:

David G. Johnson
Colonel, US Army
Director, I Corps Public Affairs
Office:  253.477.0161
Email: Address

CIC's DOD Budget Proposal

President Barack Obama today sent to Congress a proposed defense budget of $526.6 billion in discretionary budget authority to fund defense programs in the base budget for fiscal year (FY) 2014. 

The FY 2014 request does yet not include a detailed budget for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO).  Decisions regarding force levels in Afghanistan were delayed until February of this year to provide commanders time to assess wartime needs fully.  A separate OCO request is being prepared and will be submitted to Congress in the coming weeks.

Highlights of the proposed DoD budget are outlined here.

For more information and to view the entire FY 2014 budget proposal, please visit here  and download the "FY 2014 Budget Request Overview Book."  Budget-related transcripts will be available later today here.

The Department of Defense released a document today summarizing decisions made in support of the fiscal year 2014 President's Budget submission.

The document, "Defense Budget Priorities and Choices -- Fiscal Year 2014," is available here.

Continuing Resolution Alleviates Defense Budget

The signing of the Continuing Resolution (CR) for the 2013 budget H.R. 933, has occurred without a great deal of fanfare.

However, it seems to have solved the Army's problems with Overseas Contingency Operations, and pinching too tightly on FY2013 budget options.  The CR is viewed very positively.  A reported $10 billion is allocated for operations and maintenance for installations, but flexibility within H.R. 933 will allow defense leadership to make cuts.

But it doesn't solve sequestration. With House passage earlier, Pentagon officials have delayed furlough notices for defense civilian employees.  They're not off the hook yet, but now some deliberative time is available. 

FY2014 is another story.  The budget cuts may have to come from domestics, but the DoD budget will still need to meet a reduction of $50 billion.

CR & Sequester Force Service Cuts

As the final days get down to the sequestration deadline of March 1 and the (budget) Continuing Resolution (CR) extension until March 27, the service branches are planning for implementations to meet the mandates of the law.  Here's an Army, Air Force and Navy overview as it most directly impacts Washington state, its citizens and its economy.

It is important to remember the broad impacts on the federal budgets, but also the exemptions from the actions.  Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security as all exempt from sequestration.  Also exempted, uniformed military personnel. Of course, the proposed military pay increase has been reduced to 1%.

But civilian defense employees as well as other federal employees are subject to furloughs.  Hiring restrictions have already been applied to civilian temp workers, term workers and hiring to fill vacant positions.

By the same measure, let contracts for construction, goods and services will probably extend to the life of the contract.  The defense industrial sector and acquisitions are still being evaluated as to best alternative options.

(click on images for a larger view)

WA Examines Retaining & Expanding Missions

Last August, Gov. Chris Gregoire and members of the Congressional delegation called together representatives from across the state to discuss five issues:

(1) Involvement and support from local elected officials in military-supporting organization’s activities;

(2) Preparation of a short presentation of these organization’s current activities;

(3) Commissioning an analysis and report of Washington’s strengths and challenges for military mission retention and expansion;

(4) Funding the report; and a

(5) Schedule for future meetings. 

In addition to input on these issues, the group wanted to hear thoughts and recommendations for making a Washington Military Alliance a success.  The goal was to identify and resolve any issues and achieve a common understanding.

As a result, the group established an aggressive timeline for a study to assess the strengths and opportunities Washington State has to offer the DoD as it implements its strategic plans and to provide a comprehensive report, including recommendations as to how the State can assist in promoting military mission retention and expansion.

That report, available here, will be an important tool in demonstrating to the DoD and military policy makers that maintaining and expanding military missions, as well as growing military contracting in Washington State, promotes national security and is a wise fiscal investment.

Based on the recommendations of the study, the Governor’s proposed budget included funding for a Director of Military Affairs, competitive matching grant funds to assist local communities address particular needs to support their base and matching funds to modernize and replace schools on JBLM.

Voted Against the "Deal"

WASHINGTON, D.C.- House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement on the passage of H.R. 8, the fiscal cliff agreement:

 

"I voted against the fiscal cliff deal because it left too much uncertainty for government programs, lacked a realistic path towards deficit reduction, and fell short in providing necessary revenues to effectively move towards fiscal responsibility.

 

"The legislation leaves far too much uncertainty on government spending. Sequestration still looms, it was simply delayed two months, and the debt ceiling was not addressed.  As the Ranking Member on the Armed Services Committee, I am concerned that our Department of Defense once again faces a situation where they do not know how much money they will have to spend, and the very real possibility of indiscriminate across-the-board cuts just two months from now.  (emphasis added)

 

“ I am also concerned that all other areas of discretionary spending--education, transportation, infrastructure, housing, and more--face this same crippling uncertainty. I recognize that defense and other areas of spending will face cuts, but we should be clear on what those cuts will be and they need to be more thoughtful than the blind across-the-board approach of sequestration. (emphasis added)

 

"Second, the deal did nothing to address our long term debt and deficit problems.  No grand bargain was reached that could help our economy right now by giving some clear picture of what our ten-year plan is to achieve some measure of fiscal responsibility.  I understand that our current situation means that balancing the budget in that ten-year period is not a wise policy decision.  But we should at least have something in place that shows we will keep the debt at a manageable level.  This bill failed to do that.

 

"And third, not only did this bill fail to offer that ten-year plan, it made getting to a reasonable ten-year plan far more difficult by making permanent 90 percent of the Bush Tax Cuts.  By not allowing those tax cuts to expire, and then making them permanent, we took $3.5 trillion of revenue off the table. This will lead to one of two results, both of which I am strongly against. Either our debt will climb over 100 percent of GDP or we will have to make devastating cuts in vital programs like Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, education, transportation and more.

 

"We face very tough choices right now.  Our economy is weak, and our debt is substantial and growing by nearly one trillion dollars a year with no end in sight.  There are no easy answers.  But continuing to take an approach that delays addressing the fundamental choices we face will only make matters worse."

Housed Passed 2013 NDAA

Last week the House passed the final version of the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes nearly $527.5 billion for the Department of Defense, $88.5 billion for overseas contingency operations, and $17.4 billion for the national security activities of the Department of Energy, and includes a number of provisions that will help encourage growth in our economy, and provide enhanced opportunities for small businesses.

Language intended to improve the opportunity and capability of U.S. small businesses to compete for Defense contacts includes:

• Provisions that improve the transparency and enforcement of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
• Provisions making it more difficult for businesses to fraudulently pass through contracts meant for small businesses to large businesses.
• Increases to the size of bonds the Small Business Administration can guarantee at no cost to taxpayers.
• Removal of the dollar caps on set aside contracts for women owned small businesses.
• Requirements that small business advocates be part of federal procurement and acquisition planning processes, and requirements that acquisition plans address how small businesses will be utilized.

The bill also authorizes $200 million for the Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF), a competitive, merit based program aimed at accelerating the transition of technologies developed by phase II Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) projects, defense laboratories, and other innovative technologies into defense acquisition programs. Information for funding on RIF programs in FY2013 will be posted to the Defense Innovation Marketplace.

For more information on the entire FY2013 NDAA conference report, click here.

New Strategy for New Budget

Commander in Chief (President) Obama has issued a new new military strategy that calls for involvement in fewer prolonged conflicts, reducing lower-priority forces and consolidating duplicate operations, according to a report released Thursday at a Pentagon press conference by President Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey.

The report, "Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21^st Century Defense," is available at http://www.defense.gov/news/Defense_Strategic_Guidance.pdf.

The strategy that will guide decisions needed to trim $450 billion in defense spending through 2021.It calls for a leaner but more agile force and investments in special forces and additional technological innovations. The strategy shift will guide specific budget planning, which Pres. Obama and SecDef Panetta said would be announced in the coming weeks as part of the Administration's full budget request, reflecting spending cuts mandated by Congress.

"Spending has to be driven by strategy, not the other way around," Obama said, stressing that while growth in the defense budget will shrink, defense spending will still grow and will remain larger than it was when he took office in 2009.

SecDef Panetta said he has briefed key Congressional leaders on the new plan and feels "confident" that many of the proposals given the fiscal and security realities facing the country, but he expects resistance from some on Capitol Hill, saying that is part of making hard choices.

Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Buck McKeon said, “The President has packaged our retreat from the world in the guise of a new strategy to mask his divestment of our military and national defense."

For more information

Read the strategy: http://www.defense.gov/news/Defense_Strategic_Guidance.pdf

Read the DoD press release: http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66683

Watch the President's remarks: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/StrategicR

Watch Secretary Panetta's remarks: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/DBr

Read Chmn. McKeon’s release: http://mckeon.house.gov/this_in_detail.aspx?NewsID=2013

Defending the Deficit

With the done deal on the federal deficit, regardless of whether one thinks enough was done or not, the question is who the losers are?

The very conservative right and the very progressive left both are expressing their beliefs that they lost big. Since there are no new taxes, it’s hard to credit the contention the very conservative right lost, even though a balanced budget constitutional amendment is not part of the accepted deal.

The very progressive left is upset that there are neither new taxes on the rich nor closing on tax benefits to oil companies. However, the Bush-era tax cuts are due to expire beginning in 2013 anyway.

So, what’s done? First, nothing is cut until 2012. Then, mainly the deal cuts come from half defense/secuity and half from discretionary spending (not Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security), and sets a process for automatic cuts if directed cuts aren’t made.

On the automatic cuts, all depends on whether Congress accepts recommendations by a panel of peers. If not, half the cuts affect defense and security (Defense, State, VA and Homeland Security), the other half in discretionary spending. That’s $648 for each half. But, the final eight years of the deal don’t mandate cuts to “security” accounts.

In the middle term, could liberals (tending to oppose to defense spending) hope to do better than cut defense by $684 billion in fiscal 2012 and $686 billion in fiscal 2013? And, after 10 years, the federal deficit will be much larger then than now.

But, of course, it is notoriously difficult for a present Congress to limit the actions of a future Congress.

House Passes Budget, Senate Next

AUSA reports that after three days of debate, the House passed a $649.2 billion defense spending bill (H.R. 2219) for federal fiscal 2012 (October 1, 2011 – September 30, 2012). The bill passed 336-87.

The bill would provide $530.5 billion for the Pentagon, which is $8.9 billion less than President Obama requested but $17 billion more than fiscal 2011 levels. It also includes $118.7 billion for ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is approximately $40 billion less than current funding.

Some highlights of the bill include:

• Funding for a 1.6% military pay raise
• $32.2 billion for the Defense Health Program
• $5.9 billion to purchase 32 F-35 jets
• $453 million for production of the M1A2 SEP Abrams tank
• Approximately $10 billion for missile defense programs

An amendment that would prohibit prisoners currently held at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, from being transferred to the United States was adopted as well as one that would prohibit the use of funds to implement a training curriculum for military chaplains related to the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

The House also adopted a series of amendments aimed at boosting spending for research on post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, prostate cancer and illnesses affecting veterans of the first Gulf War.

Because the Senate is still holding hearings related to their version of the defense spending bill, since it has not adopted a fiscal 2012 budget resolution that would set top-line spending limits, the House's work will remain on hold.

No pay? What do you say?

Some things in the military never change.  This issue of "no pay" harks back to the Revolutionary War.

Yesterday's Message to the DOD Workforce on Potential Government Shutdown by Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III:

“The department remains hopeful that a government shutdown will be averted. The President has made it clear that he does not want a government shutdown, and the administration is working to find a solution with which all sides can agree. However, prudent management requires that we plan for an orderly shutdown should Congress be unable to pass a funding bill before our current funding expires on April 8.

"The President and the secretary know that the uncertainty of the current situation puts federal employees in a difficult position, and are very much aware that a shutdown would impose hardships on our military and civilian personnel as well as our military families. As we approach the expiration of the current continuing resolution, we will provide you with updated information as soon as it becomes available. For now, I want to provide you with information on how the potential shutdown - should it occur - will impact our military and civilian personnel.

Department of Defense (DoD) Operations During a Shutdown

“Operations and activities that are essential to safety, protection of human life, and protection of our national security, are ‘excepted’ from shutting down. The DoD will continue to conduct activities in support of our national security, including operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Japan; Libya-related support operations; and other operations and activities essential to the security of our nation. The department must also continue to provide for the safety of human life and protection of property.

“Other excepted activities will include inpatient and essential outpatient care in DoD medical treatment facilities; emergency dental care; non-appropriated funds activities such as mess halls and child care activities; certain legal activities to support ongoing litigation and legal assistance for deployed DoD personnel; contracting and logistics operations that are in support of excepted activities; certain education and training activities to include the DoD education activity schools; and financial management activities necessary to ensure the control and accountability of funds.

“In the absence of appropriations, non-excepted activities that have not already been fully funded will need to be shut down in an orderly fashion. In accordance with existing laws and regulations, I will issue more detailed guidance to the department regarding specific activities that are considered excepted or non-excepted. However, the secretary and I understand that the military departments and defense agencies and individual commanders must tailor this guidance to many different situations around the world. Therefore, should there be a government shutdown, DoD personnel will be informed through their chain of command about how a shutdown may affect them personally.

Duty Status

“Military personnel are not subject to furlough and will report for duty as normal during the shutdown. Reserve component personnel should refer to the DoD Contingency Guidance document and to their chain of command for more specific information.

“Civilian personnel deemed to be performing excepted activities will continue to work during the period of a shutdown.

“If there is a government shutdown beginning on Saturday, April 9, all DoD personnel should still report to work on their next scheduled duty day, beginning at their normal duty hours to receive additional instructions.

“Civilians will be briefed by their supervisors by Friday, April 8, as to whether their work and responsibilities fall into excepted or non-excepted status, as defined by applicable laws and regulations. Excepted status categories are outlined in the DoD Contingency Guidance document, which is being distributed through the chain of command. If their work and responsibilities are non-excepted, or if they are not needed to carry out excepted work and responsibilities, employees will be furloughed in a non-pay status. Furloughed employees may not telework or volunteer to work.

“Generally, contractors performing work on contracts funded prior to a shutdown, whether supporting excepted activities or not, may continue working and will be paid out of the obligated funds, subject to further direction from the contracting officer. New contracts, or increases in funding of existing contracts, needed to support excepted activities may be entered into during the period of a shutdown, but payments under such contracts cannot be made until Congress provides additional funding. Contract personnel should also report to work on Monday, April 11, to be briefed on their status.

Military, Civilian, and Retiree Pay

“If the government shuts down due to the absence of funding, the DoD will have no funds to pay military members or civilian employees for the days during which the government is shut down. However, both military and civilian personnel will receive pay for the period worked prior to the shutdown. Military personnel, and civilians occupying excepted status positions and required to work, are entitled to be paid for work performed during the shutdown, and will be paid retroactively once the department receives additional funding. Congress would have to provide authority in order for the department to retroactively pay non-excepted employees for the furloughed period.

“Military retirees and annuitants are not paid from annually appropriated funds, and therefore their benefits should continue without interruption.

Additional Resources

“The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has created a document to address some of the questions that I know must be on your mind. The document can be accessed at http://www.opm.gov/furlough2011 . OPM will provide additional pertinent information for federal employees as the week progresses.

“The department’s leadership will do our very best to provide clear information about the status of events as the week progresses. Additional information regarding military and DoD civilian pay, leave, and other DoD policies applicable to a potential shutdown will be posted on the department’s main website as soon as it becomes available.

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of all of you, the Department of Defense provides critical services to the American public. Your contributions touch people’s lives in so many significant ways, and I want you to know how deeply I appreciate your dedication and your expertise. Our decisions concerning which functions are excepted or not excepted are based on government-wide legal, regulatory, and policy guidance as well as our best judgment on how to reconcile our national security requirements with the limitations imposed by a government shutdown. The fact that certain functions are not excepted or that certain personnel may be subject to furlough should not be taken as a statement that the secretary or I or the department do not value those functions or employees. Thank you for your continued service to the department and the nation.”

DOD Releases Fiscal 2012 Budget Proposal

President Barack Obama today sent to Congress a proposed defense budget of $671 billion for fiscal 2012. The request for the Department of Defense (DoD) includes $553 billion in discretionary budget authority to fund base defense programs and $118 billion to support overseas contingency operations (OCO), primarily in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The fiscal 2012 budget continues the DoD reform agenda, seeking additional efficiencies across the entire defense enterprise, while also strengthening our national security capability.

This budget represents a reasonable, responsible and sustainable level of funding, the minimum level of defense spending that is necessary, given the security challenges we are facing around the globe, said Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

The $553 billion for the base budget provides funding to take care of our people, which is our highest priority, and also provides substantial funding to build capability for possible future conflicts. The OCO portion totals $117.8 billion, $41.5 billion below the fiscal 2011 request of $159.3 billion. The proposal reflects the planned withdrawal of troops from Iraq by the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2012 and a modest decline in funding for Afghanistan operations.

While this budget request seeks continued efficiencies in 2012 and beyond, the absence of an appropriation for fiscal 2011 threatens to cause serious inefficiencies and problems this year. The current continuing resolution, if it remains in effect for the rest of the year, will lead to delays and inefficient, start-and-stop management. It will rob the DoD of the flexibility needed to manage effectively, especially in time of war, and it will not provide the Department with enough resources to maintain training and support while also paying bills for military pay, benefits, and inflation. In short the continuing resolution represents a crisis at our doorstep, and the DoD strongly urges the Congress to pass a defense appropriation bill as part of the overall legislation to fund government activities in fiscal 2011.

Highlights of the proposed DoD budget are outlined in the linked summary and charts. For more information and to view the entire fiscal 2012 budget proposal, please visit here and download the "FY 2012 Budget Request Overview Book." Budget-related transcripts can also be viewed here.