At what point does military worship become dangerous?

[MADem]

42. You're a bit late out of the gate with this....you do know the military is at the start of a HUGE

drawdown, don't you? They've been "talking cheerily" about this for some time--so here's a few readings for you, to counter your gripes:

http://www.army.mil/article/75278/Army_to_stay_strong_while_downsizing/

Based on the fiscal year 2013 budget submission, which has not been approved yet, the active duty Army will be reduced by approximately 80,000 Soldiers to 490,000 by 2017. This will be a slow process, allowing us to take advantage of the attrition that will happen naturally. And, this proposed reduction addresses the active Army only; none of the current force reductions call for cuts in Reserve and National Guard manning.

The Army has already begun drawing down from 570,000 Soldiers, and predictions are that the reduction in Soldiers should be around 13,400 by the middle of 2013. The current budget request allocates $42.8 billion for Army personnel in 2013. That's a reduction of $4 billion from this year and $12.5 billion from 2011. As you can see from these numbers, and regardless of the budget numbers Congress eventually approves, there will be some fiscal belt-tightening within all branches of services.

Our Army will become smaller, but the quality of the force will unquestionably improve. We need to tap into the great levels of leadership and combat experience of Soldiers at all levels and retain those Soldiers and leaders who possess the greatest potential to continue to serve. This is a point that the sergeant major of the Army reiterated during his recent visit to Fort Jackson. In all honesty, there will be some situations in which we will be asking some Soldiers to leave, who, in the past, we might have asked to stay on, consistent with the Army leadership's recently released retention guidance. Ultimately, those Soldiers who continue to meet the Army's standards and demonstrate the greatest potential for continued service will have the best opportunity for continued service.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123296808

4/5/2012 - TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNS) -- In the current economic environment, the best course of action for the U.S. Air Force is to "trade size for quality," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley March 30 in a keynote address to attendees of the 39th Tinker and Community Dining Out at the Tinker Club.

The secretary said that budget reductions have compelled all branches of the military to balance competing needs, resulting in some tough choices for the Air Force.

"Although the Air Force is downsizing, we must still provide the force structure and capability and be prepared to respond to a dynamic environment," said Secretary Donley.

"Readiness is essential because if we're going to be smaller, we must be prepared."

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/feb/11/some-sailors-deflated-as-navy-trims-sails/

Some sailors deflated as Navy trims sails
Sea service cutting nearly 3,000 mid-career troops in a first-of-kind layoff

About 550 San Diego sailors have a clock ticking on their military careers, as the entire U.S. military stands on the cusp of significant downsizing.

The Navy is cutting nearly 3,000 mid-career troops in a first-of-its-kind layoff this year, made necessary by record-high re-enlistment. Generous wartime military benefits, offered during a deep economic recession, left the Navy with 60 percent retention rates.

Cezar Oborn, a 32-year-old aircraft mechanic, is one casualty of the Navy’s Enlisted Retention Board. For the first time, the panel is sending sailors back to the civilian ranks in the middle of an enlistment contract.

Promotions will get more difficult, discipline will get more strict, minor infractions will suddenly become major ones, piss tests will become more frequent, PT tests will get harder, overweight people will get a boot up their ass and a shove out the door--all the standard "force shaping" tools to get rid of the "less than optimal" servicemembers. It will be an ugly, ugly time for those in uniform--everyone will have their finger on their number and be looking over their shoulder for that knife in the back.

I feel for them, because they will have to transition out of their jobs, many way sooner than they anticipated, in a less than optimal employment environment. They're human beings who aren't interested in being worshipped, they're just interested in finding work as they transition to civilian life. You're painting them as a bunch of snotty, entitled assholes with your complaints about "worship," and I think that's just rude and wrong.