The Pentagon accounts for 17 percent of federal spending. Yet it was ordered to cough up half the budget savings mandated by sequestration, which led Sen. That is what is driving the federal deficit. It is not defense. Indeed, as David Adesnik of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies details, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security now account for 48 percent of the federal budget up from 40 percent in and 26 percent in , while the Pentagon represents just 17 percent of federal spending whittled down from 21 percent in and 30 percent in He has vowed to increase the active-duty Army to , soldiers, deploy a ship Navy, field 36 Marine battalions and equip the Air Force with 1, fighter aircraft.
But one budget cycle is not enough to repair the self-inflicted wounds of sequestration. In , defense outlays were 4. A budget-driven strategy, on the other hand, puts spending priorities ahead of strategic interests and national-security needs.
Alan W. Dowd is contributing editor for The American Legion Magazine. This is a partial list of major military benefits that are not exempt and face potential sequester cuts. Additionally, many more veterans work for federal, state and local agencies and face the same possibility. The federal job market and industries that support the federal government will also need to cut back on hiring. Resulting in unemployment for veterans and service members transition out of the military may find job prospects that much more difficult.
Housing vouchers and and rental assistance is also expected to be reduced at the same time. Potential disruptions to military pay and benefits were averted Tuesday night -- at least for a couple more months. The president and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are warning that pay and benefits are at risk in Congress' battle over the Benefits Paycheck Chronicles.
Pay Is Safe Military pay is specifically exempt from sequestration cuts, including retired pay. All VA programs, including disability benefits and care, are also exempt from sequestration cuts. However, please do not become complacent. It is very likely that next year's raise will be small or non-existent, and cuts to other programs could increase your family's spending needs. Defense Health Cuts While Tricare can not be eliminated or seriously changed without Congressional action, you will still see cuts in health care.
Fewer civilian jobs will mean fewer providers and more difficulty getting an appointment. Pharmacies will stock fewer medications, forcing beneficiaries to utilize the mail order pharmacy or purchase their prescriptions at civilian drug stores. Hours may be cut, and "extra" services such as nutrition counseling may be curtailed or eliminated. Commissary Budget Cuts DeCA has issued guidance : Hiring freeze, regardless of sequestration May overseas case lot sales cancelled, regardless of sequestration If sequestration occurs, commissaries will close on Wednesday in all state-side locations, and most overseas locations.
Commissaries could see reduced staffing and hours. Worst possible scenario: some commissaries could be closed. DoDDS Schools Schools run by the Department of Defense, both domestically and overseas, will see an immediate decrease in their funding. As part of the Operations and Maintenance budget, they should theoretically have the same cuts as 9.
Not only is this a nightmare as far as our children's education, but it also will create child care and other issues. Defense One Marcus Weisgerber. September 17, Assessing Trends in Military Personnel Costs. September 9, Defense One Seamus Daniels. May 17, April 29, Todd Harrison , Seamus P. Daniels , Mark F. Focusing on readiness in the short term and long term. ABC7 Government Matters.
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