Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel certainly has not been shy about disrupting the status quo since he took over from Leon Panetta in February. In his first major speech since he assumed the position, Hagel called for a significant review of Department of Defense (DOD) policies, ranging from the balance between active and reserve components to the size and functionality of the budget. The words could have a far reaching impact at a time when the Pentagon is transitioning out of Afghanistan and grappling with cuts due to sequestration.
A change of course
Hagel's remarks, which were given before both military officials and civilians at National Defense University, show a shift in tone compared to Panetta. Specifically, Panetta steadfastly opposed any more significant cuts to Defense spending, but Hagel says it's something the military has to do. In fact, he suggested that paring down expenses could eventually make the Armed Forces more streamlined and adaptable.
We cannot simply wish or hope our way to carrying out a responsible national security strategy and its implementation," he told those in attendance. "The department must understand the challenges and uncertainties, plan for the risks, and, yes, recognize the opportunities inherent in budget constraints and more efficient and effective restructuring."
Hagel's history
Although this was Hagel's first major address, his desire to review every aspect of the DOD should not come as much of surprise given his actions thus far during his short tenure as Defense Secretary. For instance, in March the DOD ordered a review of the Pentagon's hundreds of suicide prevention strategies. While Hagel did not specifically mention the potential for troop reductions, some experts say that could be one of the plans for lowering costs.
While no official announcements have been made as to troop cuts, some analysts expect the Army to lower its number of active duty and reserve troops by about 100,000, according to The Washington Times. Furthermore, the Army may have to cut about 40 percent of its Brigade Combat Teams.
Changes abound
While Hagel's review may cause some changes, the military is in the midst of some other substantial shifts as well. Earlier this year, combat roles opened up to female troops for the first time and the Pentagon may soon be able to extend benefits to same-sex couples depending on the upcoming Supreme Court rulings.
The Army has placed an increased emphasis on the importance of sustainability over the last several years, and California's Fort Hunter Liggett stands as a testament to that. The base is one of several throughout the United States working toward becoming net zero energy and net zero waste by 2020 and it recently took significant steps toward that end, according to the Army's official website.
One of the biggest construction projects on the base – four solar microgrids – is being led by the Army Corps of Engineers. The hope is that the project will be able to create enough energy to supply power to at least 300 homes by the end of May. Eventually, base officials hope to be entirely energy independent. Not only will it save the military money, but it could also improve training and readiness.
"Prior to the installation of these solar projects, we were susceptible to power outages quite frequently," Bob Roy, project engineer with the Corps' Sacramento District, told the website. "That interrupts the ability to train the troops indoors and outdoors."
Fuel efficiency can save the military a significant amount of money. According to CNN, in 2008 the Department of Defense spent $17.9 billion on energy costs.
The Obama administration announced earlier this week it was launching a $100 million research initiative aimed at better understanding how the brain operates. The ambitious program could have far-reaching implications in a number of different realms, but perhaps most significantly, it could offer more effective treatments for soldiers and military families affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), reports Stars and Stripes.
A sweeping proposal
The program, known as the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, will be included as part of the 2014 budget, which is expected to be unveiled next week. The planning is still in its early stages, but Dr. Francis Collins, the head of the National Institutes of Health, says he expects to assemble a team of 15 scientists to lead the studies. Among the most significant focuses of the project is learning how brain cells communicate with one another. Experts hope the finding will offer clues as to how conditions ranging from epilepsy to autism manifest themselves.
What it means for troops
While the potential findings could shed light on a number of conditions, the impact this research could have on the well-being of veterans and active duty soldiers may be the most important results. About $50 million of the total funding for the project will go toward the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and President Barack Obama cited finding treatments for both PTSD and TBI as two of the most significant goals of the BRAIN Initiative, according to the publication.
"Imagine if we could reverse traumatic brain injury or PTSD for our veterans who are coming home … That's what we're imagining. That's what we're hoping for," he said at the announcement. "They're ambitious goals, but they're achievable."
Potentially thousands affected
While there are no concrete statistics, experts estimate that more than 250,000 soldiers have returned from Iraq an Afghanistan with a TBI, and approximately 20 percent of veterans of the two wars have symptoms of PTSD. The findings of the BRAIN Initiative could help troops in a variety of ways. It could identify who is more vulnerable to PTSD as well as help soldiers who have lost the ability to walk or talk normally due to TBI regain their previous levels of cognitive function.
A permanent change of station (PCS) presents military families with many unique challenges. Aside from the stress associated with moving and having to adapt to a new location, there is also the question of how they're going to get their belongings from point A to point B. This is especially true when it comes to moving their pets, who often require special attention. While there are obstacles, taking the appropriate steps can make it easier for troops to bring their pets with them when they move.
Act quickly
Perhaps most importantly, servicemembers need to start planning as soon as they learn where they are moving. This includes a number of steps, but the first one should be to visit the veterinarian. Pets need specific certification to fly on planes – whether overseas or within the United States – and vets can provide military families with the correct documentation. Experts recommend heading to a doctor with experience in the military community.
"I would definitely start with a veterinarian, particularly military, since we do this all of the time," Erin Stough, veterinary corps officer, Combat Center Veterinary Services, told Military.com. "I would encourage people to read records and keep copies of the vaccine and health records. Be informed."
Do research
Families flying on commercial airlines need to be well-researched when they're making arrangement to transport their dog or cat. For instance, dogs that weigh more than 100 pounds can't be shipped on a commercial flight, and if the temperature is too hot or too cold airlines may not allow them to be shipped either. Military families also should look into whether there are any border crossing fees for animals they may encounter.
After arrival
The process is not done once families reach their ultimate destination. Experts also stress the importance of servicemembers taking steps to ensure their pets can adjust to their new surroundings. While this may be easier said than done, there are a few things that can make the process go more smoothly. For instance, pet owners try to keep a normal routine for the immediate time period after their arrival, and for those families with dogs, it's imperative for them to keep their canines leashed until they get used to their new surroundings.
The Armed Forces has changed a lot in the last several years, and that includes recent strides for women in the service. Earlier this year, the military announced it would allow female soldiers to serve in combat roles – something which was previously prohibited – and one group of women at Fort Bragg is taking things to a whole new level, as The 18th Fires Brigade is preparing to welcome the first female enlisted soldiers in an artillery unit, the Fayetteville Observer reports.
Nearly a year in the making
Former-Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced the shift in policy allowing women to serve on the front line earlier this year, but the wheels were set in motion at Fort Bragg well before then. In fact, last summer officials there launched a pilot program to see whether women were capable of joining artillery units previously open only to male troops. Being a member of these units is both physically and mentally demanding. Along with having to be able to lift 100-pound rounds, soldiers also have to be familiar with everything from physics to metrology. For Lt. Shannon Syphus, the opportunity is one she relishes.
"I didn't know prior that it wasn't open," Syphus told the newspaper. "But I just fell in love. I can get on the radio and call for fire and something explodes. I love the technical aspects — the math and the precision. You can't find that with any other job in the Army."
Continuous change
As the brigade prepares to welcome its newest members, the rest of the Armed Forces is undergoing similar changes. For instance, earlier in March, Tech. Sgt. Leslie Cumming, the only female military training instructor in the Air National Guard, broke new ground when she was named Air University Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, according to the official website of the Air Force.
Cumming's accomplishment, along with the contributions of Syphus and others, did not come as much of a surprise to many analysts. Experts point to the fact that many women, who make up about 15 percent of the Armed Forces, were already serving in the front lines because of the unpredictable nature of war, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Blue Angels, the Navy's famed flight demonstration squad, have been wowing audiences for nearly 70 years. However, as sequestration begins to take effect and the Navy is tasked with cutting costs, the skilled pilots will be grounded for the time being. Aside from being an impressive demonstration of the Armed Forces capabilities, the Blue Angels have been a useful recruiting tool over the years, but their immediate future is in doubt.
Fans come to practice
In anticipation of the Blue Angels' grounding, throngs of aviation enthusiasts recently showed up at Pensacola's Naval Air Station to watch the pilots at work, CBS News reports. Their practice this week welcomed about 9,200 spectators, which is about twice as large as the crowd that usually shows up to watch them perform their impressive stunts. The March 28 practice may have been the last time the F-18s take to the skies – Department of Defense (DOD) officials are unsure of what their practice schedule will be over the next six months.
Money saving a priority
Though the Blue Angels' legions of fans may be disappointed by the move, it is a smart fiscal decision, DOD officials say. Grounding the fleet will save about $20 million over the next six months, and with the Navy tasked with slashing $4 billion, it could go a long way. Still, Navy veteran John Hunt said the decision will have a negative impact.
"Major loss, major loss," he told CBS. "Especially to this area, and especially to the Navy. This is a recruiting tool."
Other planes grounded
The Blue Angels aren't the only fighter planes in the military to have their role reduced. According to USA Today, budget cuts have led the Armed Forces to suspend all military air shows for the time being – that includes the Air Force's famed Thunderbirds. It costs about $10 million for the Thunderbirds to be maintained, and given that defense is still the top priority among the military brass, shows and flyovers should be the first to go.
"As a strictly budget matter, these are low priority from a military perspective," he said. "Flyovers and air shows don't help you defend the nation," defense spending expert Todd Harrison told the publication.
With the war in Iraq over and the conflict in Afghanistan winding down, the government is tasked with providing healthcare to the more than 2 million soldiers who have served overseas in the last 12 years. New research from scientists at the Institute of Medicine suggests that federal officials are doing a poor job of keeping up with the demand for medical issues and health ailments caused by the wars, USA Today reports.
The expansive study, conducted over four years, highlights the fact that the United States has never had to respond to these challenges before because of the unique nature of the wars. Specifically, things like multiple deployments, with short time between each one, as well as the high number of reservists and National Guardsmen who served have caused unforeseen obstacles. Despite the best efforts of military officials, more needs to be done, experts say.
"These are extraordinary challenges," Dr. George Rutherford, who chaired the group that produced the report, told the publication. "We are learning as we're going. I think the VA and [Defense Department] have really exerted extraordinary efforts to try and get it right … but there are some areas that need to be improved."
Part of the problem has to do with the fact that the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) often have trouble communicating. This is particularly evident when it comes to medical records. The two departments have separate programs designed to store their records, which causes difficulty when soldiers transfer from active duty to life as veterans. This could be partly to blame for the estimated 900,000 person backlog in VA benefits claims.
Four years ago, President Barack Obama vowed to oversee the creation of one all-encompassing place for medical records to be shared by the VA and the DOD. So far, that has yet to be fully realized. Earlier this year, then-Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki seemed to back away from plans for one shared system and instead cited plans to focus on making it easier to transfer records from one department to the other, Stars and Stripes reports.
Many servicemembers were pleased last week when Congress restored the popular transition assistance program, which had been slated to be suspended until at least October. However, despite the victory, military officials are still unsure when they can allow new soldiers to enroll in the program because there is still some uncertainty regarding what budget cuts need to be made, Stars and Stripes reports.
The biggest issue is where in the budget the Department of Defense will cut $43 billion, as required by sequestration. Military officials met with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel recently to go over what reductions can be made and when the transition assistance program can resume. Sources say servicemembers can expect a decision within the next several days.
"What we know definitively is that right now, it's suspended," Air Force spokeswoman Maj. Cristin Marposon told the publication. "It's being worked aggressively, and as soon as we have the way ahead, it will be announced."
When the final announcement comes, it will have a significant impact on throngs of troops. According to Military.com, an estimated 300,000 use the vital program, which provides up to $7,500 for tuition payments each year.
As the Department of Defense looks to cut costs, there have been some concerns over the military's readiness. A new report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) may allay some of those concerns, because analysts found that a modest reduction to annual pay raises will allow the Armed Forces to save money while still retaining its current levels of readiness, Military Times reports.
The proposed change mirrors a similar point made in the 2014 Obama administration budget, which suggests reducing annual pay raises for active duty troops from 1.7 percent to 1 percent. The CBO points out that even adjusting payment to reflect inflation instead of private-sector growth, as is the case now, would save around $45 billion through 2021. There is some concern that such a reduction could hurt recruiting and retention, but the CBO says it shouldn't.
"The fact that military compensation has risen dramatically over the past decade – to the extent that, on average, enlisted military personnel now earn more than 90 percent of civilians with similar education and experience – could lessen the effects of such a policy," the CBO said.
Military families who are concerned about the impact of sequestration can take solace in the fact that their paychecks will never be delayed, nor will their allowance for housing, according to the National Military Family Association.
The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the controversial federal legislation which defines marriage as between a man and a woman, went before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, and though a decision is not expected for several months, early signs indicate the law may be struck down, according to The Washington Post. If that happens, it will be a big step forward for same-sex military couples, who are currently denied many benefits because of DOMA.
The law was brought before the Supreme Court by lawyers for 83-year-old Edith Windsor. She challenged the 1996 law after she was told she owed $360,000 to the IRS after the death of her wife. The two had been married in New York – which recognized same-sex marriage – but because it wasn't recognized at the federal level she was on the hook for taxes. The issue is similar to what is faced by gay and lesbian couples in the military, because they are often barred from receiving benefits even if they are legally married.
Reporters inside the court hint that the Supreme Court could rule in favor of Windsor and the millions like her. The most encouraging sign came from Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, often a deciding vote, who said he questioned the law's uniformity.
"I think it went beautifully," Windsor told reporters. "I thought the justices were gentle…. I didn't feel any hostility or any sense of inferiority. I felt we were very respected, and I think it's going to be good."
Wednesday marked the second day in a row the Supreme Court heard cases regarding the rights of same-sex couples. On Tuesday, they took up the issue of California's controversial Proposition 8, which bans gay marriage. Experts were less clear on what the outcome of that case could be due to the fact it deals with a state law rather than a federal one.
Repealing DOMA is one of the final hurdles for same-sex military couples. In September 2011, the "don't ask, don't tell" policy was officially repealed, which allowed gay and lesbian troops to openly serve for the first time. The victory would come soon after outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced that benefits such as hospital visitation rights and admittance to family groups would be extended to gay couples, The Boston Globe reports.