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.
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.
The elevated suicide level is one of the most pressing concerns facing the military community and in an effort to help improve treatment, the Department of Defense (DOD) recently launched an extensive review of the 900 suicide prevention initiatives currently underway at the DOD and service levels. The hope is that streamlining the process can ensure the most effective programs are kept while the less helpful ones are eliminated, Military Times reports.
A growing concern
The review comes after a bad year for suicides in the military community. In 2012, 349 troops took their own lives, which was not only a record number but was also higher than the number of soldiers who were killed in action. All branches of the Armed Forces operate their own suicide prevention initiatives, many of which are geared toward strengthening mental resilience and improving transition assistance. The DOD hopes that by investigating these efforts it will be better able to offer prevention techniques in the future.
"DOD fervently believes that every one life lost to suicide is one too many, and prevention is everybody's responsibility," Jacqueline Garrick, acting director of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office, told Congress recently. "This fight will take enormous collective action and the implementation of proven and effective initiatives."
The latest effort
While the DOD's extensive review is the just the latest effort from the department to curb the suicide rate, it has been a significant focus of top military officials during the last several years. In her testimony before Congress, Garrick noted that a DOD-led task force provided 76 recommendations to address the problem. They include the creation of a Suicide Prevention Office to consolidate all efforts related to the cause.
Soldiers find unique ways to overcome invisible wounds
An estimated 20 percent of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan experience symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and many of them have managed the side effects in a wide variety of ways. Among them is Joel Booth, who lost his leg serving in Afghanistan. The 24-year-old teamed up with production company Strategic Operations, which provides real-life training videos, to serve as an actor in hyper-realistic war scenarios, according to The Associated Press. Despite putting him back in stressful situations, the process has helped him manage PTSD symptoms.
It's been months since Hurricane Sandy pummeled the Northeast, but the cleanup is still ongoing. Much of the effort has been led by the Army Corps of Engineers, which recently received around $5.35 billion from the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 to help those most in need, Army News Service reports.
The funding has been spread out in a variety of ways, including rebuilding projects and clearing of debris. While the Corps has been hard at work – members say around 734,000 cubic yards of debris have been removed – there is still about 40 percent of the wreckage waiting to be removed. Still, the Corps has completed a number of impressive missions including a delivery of more than 500 truckloads of water, at least 110 refurbished housing units and installation of more than 200 generators. It has also begun work on how to best equip the coast for future storms.
"The Corps will undertake a broad, conceptual examination of the best ideas and approaches to reducing the vulnerability to major storms over time, in a way that is sustainable over the long-term, both for the natural coastal ecosystem and for communities," Jo-Ellen Darcy, the assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, told the website.
Given the size of Hurricane Sandy, it's no wonder the recovery process has lasted well into the new year. The October 29 storm caused an estimated $75 billion in damage.
Early last year, President Barack Obama unveiled a new defense strategy that would shift focus from the Middle East to strengthening security ties in Asia. Now, with U.S. forces set to leave Afghanistan and the looming threat of budget constraints, newly-sworn in Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of this new strategy to see if there are any areas for improvement, according to The Associated Press.
Pentagon officials did not say whether the review will mark a change in strategy, but they did suggest that Hagel was interested in better understanding the decision-making process that led to the shift in policy. Army leaders also said it's important to re-examine the policy due to the recently implemented cuts that will slash about $43 billion from the budget over the next several months, along with hundreds of billions more over the next 10 years.
"As I stand here, I don't yet know how much our defense strategy will change, but I predict it will," Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said recently, according to the AP. "We'll need to relook [at] our assumptions. We'll need to adjust our ambitions to match our abilities."
In his less than one month as Defense Secretary Hagel has already laid out some ambitious plans. Most recently, he unveiled $1 billion in missile defense plans, according to FoxNews.com.
Drone pilots have played a vital role in the United States' military operations over the last several years, but the recent creation of a new medal for this specific subset of soldiers has irked a significant portion of the military community. The Distinguished Warfare Medal was created to honor achievement in acts outside of combat, but some advocates for veterans and active duty soldiers say the fact that it outranks other decorations earned in the line of fire is a disservice to other troops' sacrifice and bravery.
What is it?
The Distinguished Warfare Medal was created to honor servicemembers who have made an impact since September 11, 2001, outside of the battlefield. While the Department of Defense (DOD) does not specifically single out drone pilots, it does say that geographic location does not play a factor in deciding whether a soldier receives the medal. The DOD also touts recent technological advancements having an impact on the battlefield.
Senators, veterans advocates disagree
Soon after it was approved, cries of disagreement sprung among members of Congress and veterans advocates. Many took issue with the fact that the Distinguished Warfare Medal outranked the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, both of which require soldiers to put their life on the line. To express their displeasure, a group of 22 Senators wrote to newly sworn-in Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
"Placing the Distinguished Warfare Medal above the Bronze Star and Purple Heart diminishes the significance of awards earned by risking one's life in direct combat or through acts of heroism. Moreover, the Distinguished Warfare Medal's placement directly above the Soldier's Medal – an award for bravery and voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy – diminishes the precedence given to acts of individual gallantry in circumstances other than combat."
Hagel responds
The calls for a change in policy have not gone unheard. In fact, on Tuesday the military stopped producing the medals after Hagel ordered a review of the process, according to The Associated Press. The action comes as some lawmakers were working toward crafting legislation that would block the further creation of the Distinguished Warfare Medal. A Pentagon official told the AP that the review will tackle the order of precedence, and a decision on the medal could come by the end of the day Tuesday.
USO tours have long been bringing some of the world's most famous athletes to military installations across the globe, but the crew that recently showed up at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan may have been one of the most impressive. Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning and three-time World Series champion Curt Schilling were among those who touched down to pay tribute to the country's servicemembers, according to the Army's official website.
The military community is especially close to Manning's heart, as the Denver Broncos' quarterback has had many family members who have joined the Armed Forces. In addition to speaking to the gathered crowed, Manning threw the football around with some of the troops, while former teammate Austin Collie helped him out on stage. The experience certainly left a lasting impression.
"Another officer told me that our casualties are way down compared to before, which is a sign that the Afghan military is taking over more," Manning wrote in a personal journal on ESPN.com. "That's certainly good to hear, but he would rather be saying zero casualties. Just another reminder of the sacrifices these men and women make."
Of course, Manning was not the only highlight of this stop on the USO tour. Former American Idol standouts Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo performed for the crowd, while Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders – a staple of such events – performed as well.
Now that the sequester is in place, the reality of trimming $46 billion from the Pentagon budget over the next seven months is starting to come into focus. Yet, for all the warning of a weakened Armed Forces and issues with readiness during the debate, a growing number of analysts is suggesting that the impact the sequester has on the Department of Defense may not be as significant as originally thought, The Boston Globe reports.
Necessary trimming
Perhaps the biggest argument in favor of cuts to defense spending is the fact that the military is winding down operations in Afghanistan. The spending cuts would bring the Pentagon back to its 2007-level budget, and at the time the United States was still involved in two wars. Additionally, experts pointed to the fact that the DOD budget will still be more than the nine next biggest defense budgets combined. At a time when the military is placing an emphasis on being more streamlined, any reduction in spending could be a good thing, experts say.
"It is not a question of readiness. It is a question of readiness to do what?" John Pike, director of a Virginia-based research group, told the Globe. "The defense budget is twice what it was before Sept. 11 and we have half as many enemies. A lot of this is theater. Let them sequester and they will see that nothing happens."
Changes lay ahead
While the sequester will likely not have an impact on military readiness, that's not to say there won't be some slight changes to how the DOD operates. For instance, the USS Harry Truman, an aircraft carrier, was expected to be deployed to the Persian Gulf, but that has been delayed for the time being. Additionally, there could be cuts to the number of funerals each day at Arlington National Cemetery along with the elimination of flyovers during special events.
Families could be impacted the most
It's unclear exactly what will need to be cut from services that benefit the loved ones of servicemembers, but schools on military bases are likely to feel the pinch. According to The Associated Press, the biggest reason for the issues is tied to cuts from a program known as Impact Aid, which benefits school on federally owned land. The cuts could lead to increased class sizes and the elimination of extracurricular programs.