Defensive Maneuvers
Rumsfeld needed to free up cash for his quest to remake the
military. The brass outflanked him
By Mitch Frank
THE BUDGET
Bush will boost spending 10% next year, but it's not enough to
pay for competing priorities.
THE SAVINGS
$16.4 Billion
Rumsfeld hoped he could gain extra money by trimming 5% of
current costs, shrinking a military still geared for cold war
battles.
HOW TO SPEND THE SAVINGS
ON TROOPS
The bulk of Bush's defense increases so far has gone to pay for
his campaign promise to improve conditions for personnel and keep
them from fleeing to the private sector. He's raising salaries 5%
and increasing funding for housing, medical benefits and support
facilities like gyms and day-care centers.
ON WEAPONRY
Rumsfeld hopes to build the fighting forces of tomorrow, but the
brass want more of the weapons of today. After years of lean
budgets, they want hardware now. The Pentagon finalized a
contract last week for 10 F-22 fighters. And the Army wants to
update the M-1 tank. But Bush's budget doesn't provide much new
money.
WHAT'S ON THE BLOCK
Rumsfeld backed away from forced cuts last week, but his generals
may still have to part with some cherished possessions.
AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
Rumsfeld's strategic planners think the current carriers are
slow, easy targets. The 21st century may demand smaller, faster
ships. He'd like to eliminate one of the Navy's 12 carrier
groups--6,000 sailors, five support ships, 80 planes. The Navy
is trying to avoid that scenario.
FIGHTER SQUADRONS
Short-range fighters may not be as useful in 15 years. Rumsfeld
has his eye on cutting three of the Air Force's 61 squadrons--70
planes and 1,000 people.
ARMY DIVISIONS
Rumsfeld debated dismantling one of the Army's 10 active-duty
divisions--15,000 troops. He's shifting U.S. focus to Asia; a huge
presence in Europe isn't needed.
ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Bush has proposed a $1.4 billion increase for missile-defense
research, but the program will need billions more in coming
years. And Rumsfeld's vision of a modern military will require
money for smaller, faster vehicles; unmanned drone planes; a
mobile, giant cannon; killer satellites. Without a public clamor
for big defense budgets, those dollars may never appear.
MORE TIME STORIES:
Cover Date: August 27, 2001
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