Crowdsourcing Smart Defense Cuts

It’s inevitable that the Department of Defense (among other government agencies) will take significant funding cuts over at least the next few years. Therefore, thinking and discourse on maximizing joint capabilities while reducing cost to taxpayers is the order of the day.

Ideally, smart budget cuts should be connected to strategic security guidance, but history, especially recent history, has demonstrated that it is unlikely that sort of guidance will be provided. So we can expect decisions to be made in terms of many other factors, such as politics, personalities, and one would hope, an assessment of capabilities required to meet future warfighting needs. For example, in the latest edition of Proceedings, CAPT Tony Heimer (USN-retired), presents some compelling arguments for cutting the Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) (USNI membership required), an offshoot of the MPF (Future) concept. CAPT Heimer notes that the Improved Navy Lighterage System can support the ship to shore logistics mission, while cutting the MLP program will result in an acquisition savings of $1.5 billion and total lifetime ownership cost of up to $6 billion.

Now it’s time for our readers to weigh in and give the thousands of others who read this blog, including many defense policy makers, their ideas. In the comments below, posters are invited to briefly identify which defense program, unit, mission, personnel specialty, etc. should be shed and why. If known, post the approximate amount of money that would be saved in cutting this particular budget item. Other readers should show their support to these ideas by “liking” the posted idea. In a few days, I’ll summarize the top rated recommended cuts, giving credit to the initial posters. Yes, this methodology is as scientific as Dancing With the Stars, but the results should also be interesting. Have at it.

The opinions and views expressed in this post are those of the author alone and are presented in his personal capacity. They do not necessarily represent the views of U.S. Department of Defense, the US Navy, or any other agency.