Robert Gates Plans to Slash Thousands of Defense Jobs, Trim Hierarchy

Perhaps the subject of a "Purple" Armed Service uniform should be raised. In today's as well as future Defense needs, the duplication found in the Military Services should be addressed with a bottom line savings in DOD funding. While I am well aware of individual service "PRIDE" and recognize the need to maintain the "Spirit de Corps", can we eliminate five major logistics commands? Why can't the Defense Logistics Agency "Command" the base level logistic functions of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard. In addition to serving in a senior Wing level logistics function (Deputy Wing Commander for Resource Management/Air Transportation for 7 years), I managed the Standardization program for Clothing, Textiles and Individual Equipment within DLA. I saw much waste during my two carees where the Services used whatever tactics they could to violate a cost saving Standardization program. Comments are welcome. Colonel Julius Hyman, USAF Retired.

I commend Mr Gates on his plan. One way to help eliminate some of those positions would be to offer an early retirement to those who are eligible. Most of the CSRS employees may either have the years or the age but not the combination for eligibility. In most cases 2013 will be a big year, because that was the last year you were hired under CSRS. With the number of Defense personnel at the 13-14-15 and SES levels exceeding the caps at most DoD entities, why not look there for cuts. In that respect you would serve two purposes, reduce personnel and cut costs. Just think how much money the Government would save over time. It would allow the Pentagon to hire a younger workforce for the futre and promote them faster.

It is about time that someone reviewed the staffing at the Pentagon and also goverment departments. As Gates said, the military is "top heavy" and the "management" staff is larger now than ever in spite of the military size decreased from the Cold War era. There are numerous retired military working as contractors in the Pentagon and one has to wonder why all the contractors are needed and what purpose they serve. The "brass creep" has gone on unchecked for years as evidenced by the number of generals and admirals on the payroll. Who and what are they managing?

My concern is that this is 'too little to late' given that Mr. Gates plans on retiring in 2011. I do like the idea of appropriately cutting flag officers and Senior Executives (as long as it does not weaken our defense structure), because this sends a signal that it starts at the top.

Why pick on the People that defend our Nation. Close down part or all of the Postal Service, it is total out of date and useless. Why Not eliminate 50 % of the CBP agency, they operate as a Union, it takes five to unscrew a lightbulb, if you don't believe me come to any border check point and see for yourself how many are running around with a coffee cup in their hands. Get rid of the FDA, this another agency that is totally useless with their mission. Don't believe me, check out their reasoning. Some perishable commodities have no tolerance for a particular pesticide and some commodities can have a high incidence of the same pesticide, why we ask? different reactions? No, just a bigger dollar lobby. None are their to serve the People, they are there to service the people, totally different...Blessed Be3

IT'S ABOUT TIME! CUT ALL SPENDING, INCLUDING DEFENSE.

Wow, think of it. If Gates follows through, the Tea Party folks should be over the moon. Gov't will be smaller and spending will be cut. Anyone want to take bets that they WON"T respond in that way?

The military was never meant be a jobs program! The founding father would be rolling over in their graves. And you call your selves strict Constitutionalists?

It makes no sense to bring the troops home to join unemployment lines. Let's utilize their military training and keep them working on border patrols.

This is stupid. You what to weaken this countries ability to defend itself ,but you do nothing about wasteful pork spending that has gone on for 2 years. This country has done nothing to cut foreign aid, giving tax credits to companies that ship work out of the country, reducing the amount of illegals living in this country that are doing nothing but living off our resources. They have done nothing to remove the cause of what got us in this mess and have done nothing to help the people. Forcing heathcare,cap and trade, alternative energy have nothing to do with today's problems.All these items could have been dealt with once the main problem was fixed.