The defense budget, caught in the middle

September 2011 - Navy
By RADM Casey W. Coane, USN (Ret)

This month an exception for a bit of Association business: Sadly on page 24, we notify you of the loss of one of our founders, CAPT George Moorman, and the passing of a Past National President, CAPT Curtin Coleman. We do well to remember that without gentlemen such as these two, we wouldn’t be here today. On pages 20-23, we have a few photos from our recent conference in New Orleans. It is safe to say that those who were there had a great time in the heart of the French Quarter. We have reshaped the magazine a good deal over the past year with help from CAPT Phillip Ritzenberg, our journalist mentor. Beginning with the December issue, this year, we will move to publishing six vice twelve print issues a year. We’re doing this to enable us to devote more time and resources to the electronic media. Our e-newsletter will increase from twice a month to weekly. We have also increased the blogs that we feature on the Web. This is part and parcel of positioning AUSN for the future. With just six print issues, we will occasionally produce a bigger magazine to cover the various themes that we have throughout the year. We will remind you of these changes as we close in on December.

Hopefully, you are paying attention to the budget battles in Washington. As we’re writing this, the debt ceiling issue rages on. That will be resolved, but let me point out that in addition to the President calling for an additional $400B (that’s billion) in defense cuts for the next budget, the Senate debt ceiling draft legislation called for $800B more! The last week of July, all the Service Vice Chiefs testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that such cuts would require complete restructuring and a serious reduction in capability. ADM Greenert said the Navy is already “stressed.” A war weary public wants jobs not defense spending. (Thousands in the defense industry will lose their jobs, but that will go unnoticed in the debate until it’s too late.) One party rails for spending cuts to fix the deficit. The other desires to preserve social spending. Caught in the middle is the defense budget. Please read our blog on the Web blog section of the home page – “Happening in Washington that might affect YOU.” Ideas such as we talk about there gain traction and that is dangerous. Those of you reading this column understand the need for a global Navy to ensure our commerce and our ability to import resources that we need. Most of America doesn’t have that understanding; and while Navy A Global Force for Good might be a great recruiting message, I doubt that it is a deal closer for Americans as they try to decide where their tax dollars should be spent. Please, go to our Web site, click on “Contact Congress” and weigh in. Each and every one of you reading this can make a difference.

CAPT Kathryn Serbin brings us an article on osteoporosis this month. Since many of our number are of the age when such issues present themselves, her thoughts on prevention are worth heeding. We thank Kathryn for another important article. With members elected to new offices, LCDR Dave Bradley is back writing a column for retirees. Following the monthly theme of leadership, he offers some worthy thoughts on page 28. Thanks, Dave; we appreciate your view. As we focus broadly on leadership and people, this month, our Guest column from RDML Robin Graf, Commander Naval Recruiting Command, speaks to the Navy “Brand.” We also welcome our newest contributor, CAPT Ray Torp. Ray is currently finishing up as a student at the Naval War College. He brings us a piece on accountability and responsibility. Welcome aboard, Ray. Also, new this month, is FORCM Chris Wheeler, the new enlisted leader of the Navy Reserve, writing his first Senior Enlisted Voice column. As always, enjoy the read.