Accession Number:

ADA280186

Title:

Avoiding Desert Two: Rightsizing the US Military of the Year 2000

Descriptive Note:

Research rept.

Corporate Author:

ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA

Personal Author(s):

• Howell, Earl C.

Report Date:

1994-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

37.0

Abstract:

Economic forecasts for the period 1995-2000 describe increasing mandatory payments interest on the US debt, entitlements and the like funded by a relatively flat revenue base, resulting in a further reduction of US discretionary spending. Discretionary spending is that portion of the budget available to Congress to be applied to new programs and annually funded programs, such as the defense appropriation. In recent history, a squeeze on discretionary spending has meant a reduction in resources for the military services. Consequently, a further reduction of force structure beyond the Bottom-Up Review force is likely. Future reductions in combination with previous reductions taken to achieve the force levels mandated by the Bottom-Up Review represent a change of historically significant magnitude. Previous reductions of this magnitude have resulted in a hollow force. Analyses done and positions taken to-date by the various services and the Department of Defense have not, in the opinion of the author, left the services in sufficient command of their destinies. This paper is an analysis of the perceived weaknesses and a prescription for regaining the initiative in the future structure decisions of the force

Descriptors:

• *POLITICAL SCIENCE
• *ECONOMICS
• *MILITARY FORCE LEVELS
• *TAXES
• *MILITARY BUDGETS
• CONGRESS
• STRUCTURES
• NATIONAL DEFENSE
• FORECASTING
• HISTORY
• RESOURCES
• PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Subject Categories:

• Administration and Management
• Military Forces and Organizations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE