Military spending, raise or lower?

SuperTool

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
14,000
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0
I say cap it at $300 Billion.
Most of it is just corporate welfare. I have a friend who works for a defense contractor, and from what I am hearing it's inefficient and wasteful as hell.
 

Lucky

Lifer
Nov 26, 2000
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the defense department has literally lost or cannot account for trillions of dollars in cash and equipment.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
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Super try 600 billion. 300 for uniformed and another 300 for all the goodies.
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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Our military is so superior to any other country's right now, and we are the only superpower on the face of this planet, so I think it should be lowered, or at the very least streamlined to eliminate waste. IMO.

:)

We did win the war quite easily with the supposedly "gutted" Clinton armed forces... ;)
 

SuperTool

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
14,000
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Originally posted by: Carbonyl
Super try 600 billion. 300 for uniformed and another 300 for all the goodies.

300 tops, and I am being generous here. The military needs to cut the fat and learn to run a lean ship. I think it has to demonstrate the same productivity increases that private sector has been showing, and accomplish more with less.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
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81
Last year was 348B for procument and personel. IMO they need to take car of vetrans better, and double the pay of everyone to get best personel.. JMO

Add in Nasa 20B
Energy 20.6B
CIA 1.7B
Vertans benies 50B


You're already at around 450B
 

LeadMagnet

Platinum Member
Mar 26, 2003
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Lower it to $100B - and get rid of :

1: Aircraft Carriers and their nessary support ships
2: All Naval fixed wing fighters/bombers (keep SAR and Sub hunters)
3: Balistic subs (keep 20 attack subs)
4: Marine Corps
5: B2 and B1b bombers
6: Start Wars (and the sequels)
7: Close all over seas bases except (Japan / Italy / Diego Garcia / and 1 in England)
8: Close 33% of domestic bases

 

CaptnKirk

Lifer
Jul 25, 2002
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71
Military spending should raise the pay of the soldiers (and dependants) to provide them with compensation
matching what they deserve for what they do - and they do a lot.

Behind the scenes our military equipment is so far advanced when compared to the rest of the world
that we are prepared to fight WW's 4,5,6,7 - Etc while the rest of the world is still stuck on technology
that is not much more advanced that used in the original Gulf - 1 war.

We should continue building the next generation of equipment for our defense, but we shouldn't
be selling all the overly sophisticated equipment that we make to foriegn governments.
When we make first line jet fighter aircraft to foriegn countries, we have no assurance that
if there is a colapse of their 'Today Friendy' it will not lead to 'Tomorrows Foe' and we end up
haveing the risk of having to fight weapons we made that are very sophisticated.

The fact that we do arm select governments with our super-toys forces us to continue building
even more sophisticated weaponry, as we have to be able to defeat last weeks model.

Cut the world off from buying our stuff and our stuff dosen't have to be constantly advanced
to protect us from ourselves, but the "Corporate Welfare" folks won't make their billions from arms.
 

LeadMagnet

Platinum Member
Mar 26, 2003
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Lower it to $100B - and get rid of :

1: Aircraft Carriers and their nessary support ships
2: All Naval fixed wing fighters/bombers (keep SAR and Sub hunters)
3: Balistic subs (keep 20 attack subs)
4: Marine Corps
5: B2 and B1b bombers
6: Start Wars (and the sequels)
7: Close all over seas bases except (Japan / Italy / Diego Garcia / and 1 in England)
8: Close 33% of domestic bases


9: increase the enlisted man's pay and help get them and their family off food stamps
(yes some people in my Navy fighter sqaudron were on food stamps)

 

burnedout

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 1999
6,249
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1: Aircraft Carriers and their nessary support ships
Nevermind force projection when we might really need it.

2: All Naval fixed wing fighters/bombers (keep SAR and Sub hunters)
And once again, forget about force projection.

3: Balistic subs (keep 20 attack subs)
And forget about strategic deterrence. Kim Jong Il sez hey!

4: Marine Corps
And forget about a proud and honored, flexible intervention force.

5: B2 and B1b bombers
I might agree with B1b. B2s, no. And then fly the 98 remaining active, 50 year-old B52s when needed.

6: Start Wars (and the sequels)
Agreed

7: Close all over seas bases except (Japan / Italy / Diego Garcia / and 1 in England)
And forget about deterrence on the Korean peninsula.

8: Close 33% of domestic bases
Depends on which ones.

9: increase the enlisted man's pay and help get them and their family off food stamps
Agreed
 

UltraQuiet

Banned
Sep 22, 2001
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9: increase the enlisted man's pay and help get them and their family off food stamps

That is very rare these days. Very junior people with lots of kids. Targeted pay raises the last couple of years plus supplemental programs have almost, if not completely, eliminated this problem.
 

LeadMagnet

Platinum Member
Mar 26, 2003
2,348
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0
Quote

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1: Aircraft Carriers and their nessary support ships
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Nevermind force projection when we might really need it.


Quote

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2: All Naval fixed wing fighters/bombers (keep SAR and Sub hunters)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And once again, forget about force projection.


I don't think we should be projecting our force, doing preemtive strikes, enforcing our policies(politics?) on other nations, the US military should be here to protect US soil (not embassies and US corporation overseas)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3: Balistic subs (keep 20 attack subs)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And forget about strategic deterrence. Kim Jong Il sez hey!

Our missle sihlos in the US and on our multi purpose warships have enogh nukes to melt the world many time over let alone a small peninsula



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4: Marine Corps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And forget about a proud and honored, flexible intervention force.

The army can do it just as well, and we should expand the special forces to make up for no Marine Corps



7: Close all over seas bases except (Japan / Italy / Diego Garcia / and 1 in England)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And forget about deterrence on the Korean peninsula.


Think about it from N Korea's point of view, WE are at their doorstep ,with our planes over thier head, and our ships around their coast. Would you be sweating of you were surrounded by a heavily armed invasion force for 40+ years?
Lets back off to Japan and open up talks ( starting with food and heating oil). I have several S Korean friends and they all feel as the US is being too threating
 

CADsortaGUY

Lifer
Oct 19, 2001
25,162
1
76
www.ShawCAD.com
Originally posted by: glugglug
What idiots are voting for raise?

What idiots are voting for lower?

Boy, that was easy....and FUN! :D WHEEEEE!
rolleye.gif


This is a poll, dolt. people are entitled to their anonymous opinion. I didn't vote for raise, but I could definately see why someone would(wether right or wrong).

CkG
 

UltraQuiet

Banned
Sep 22, 2001
5,755
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I don't think we should be projecting our force, doing preemtive strikes, enforcing our policies(politics?) on other nations, the US military should be here to protect US soil (not embassies and US corporation overseas)
Force projection is essential in the Gulf, in and around the Taiwan Straits and in the Med, etc., etc. Pre-emptive strikes is a different matter altogether.

Our missle sihlos in the US and on our multi purpose warships have enogh nukes to melt the world many time over let alone a small peninsula
The SSBN fleet is the most survivable and cost efficient arm of the nuclear triad. Our other warships do not carry nukes.

The army can do it just as well, and we should expand the special forces to make up for no Marine Corps
The Army cannot do it just as well especially when it comes to the MEU and how does expanding special forces make up for the Marines? It's two totally different missions.

Think about it from N Korea's point of view, WE are at their doorstep ,with our planes over thier head, and our ships around their coast. Would you be sweating of you were surrounded by a heavily armed invasion force for 40+ years?
Lets back off to Japan and open up talks ( starting with food and heating oil). I have several S Korean friends and they all feel as the US is being too threating

I prefer to think of it from a strategic (and intelligent) point of view. Pulling our troops out of SK is going to do what? Give Kim Jong an opportunity to take what he needs by force? Let's do the smart thing and keep the troops there and negotiate from a position of strength.

 

ReiAyanami

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2002
4,466
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0
let's just reduce it to $0 Zero, and let Europe defend us, surely no one will attack us with Europe in charge...

we do need a missile shield, not because eventually someone's likely to launch a missile at us, but to usher in the next era of warfare (outer space) which we also lead.

and not that bloated $350 billion "hit missile with missile" shield that doesn't work, i'm talking about the real one based on lasers that is underdeveloped but has shown 100% accuracy in pre trials.

and another $300 billion for JSF as the contract has already been given to lockheed. wonder is the aurora can go sub orbital...
 

burnedout

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 1999
6,249
2
0
I don't think we should be projecting our force, doing preemtive strikes, enforcing our policies(politics?) on other nations, the US military should be here to protect US soil (not embassies and US corporation overseas)
Forget about the fact that we were able to deploy on short notice to Afghanistan after 9/11.

Our missle sihlos in the US and on our multi purpose warships have enogh nukes to melt the world many time over let alone a small peninsula
Subs are the still most survivable and threatening.

The army can do it just as well, and we should expand the special forces to make up for no Marine Corps
20-year Army vet here disagreeing. Army does not have the flexibility of USMC - period.

Think about it from N Korea's point of view, WE are at their doorstep ,with our planes over thier head, and our ships around their coast. Would you be sweating of you were surrounded by a heavily armed invasion force for 40+ years?
Lets back off to Japan and open up talks ( starting with food and heating oil). I have several S Korean friends and they all feel as the US is being too threating
Nevermind about TF Smith in 1950. Anyway, if NK changes its tune and dramatically reforms, then yes, we should withdraw. However, with the current band of starvation-inclined, armed communist headcases in charge, I think not.




 

LeadMagnet

Platinum Member
Mar 26, 2003
2,348
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The SSBN fleet is the most survivable and cost efficient arm of the nuclear triad. Our other warships do not carry nukes.

Surface ship board nukes
Sea-launched cruise and anti-ship missiles are the fourth
largest, and fastest growing, category of naval nuclear weapons.
The U.S. and Soviet navies currently have about 900 nuclear sea-
launched cruise missiles, of eight different types. Nuclear-
armed sea-launched cruise missiles (SLCMs) are currently deployed
on 107 surface ships and 118 submarines (225 total platforms).



Force projection is essential in the Gulf, in and around the Taiwan Straits and in the Med,
Is really just the US trying to force it's policeys down another countries throat.


I prefer to think of it from a strategic (and intelligent) point of view. Pulling our troops out of SK is going to do what? Give Kim Jong an opportunity to take what he needs by force? Let's do the smart thing and keep the troops there and negotiate from a position of strength.
Yes it has worked so well for the past 40+ years. Almost as well as the embargo on Cuba.

20-year Army vet here disagreeing. Army does not have the flexibility of USMC - period.
The Army cannot do it just as well especially when it comes to the MEU and how does expanding special forces make up for the Marines? It's two totally different missions.
The army should be able to have a flexable quick deploying arm that is capable of Marine like invasion. Expanding the Army's specail forces units will help develop the unit.


Subs are the still most survivable and threatening.
And expensive. With the nukes on our current surface ships, what the AirForce can fire/drop and whats in the silohs I'd say we can have a couple to hit NK or Iran with.

Forget about the fact that we were able to deploy on short notice to Afghanistan
yeah we showed them - we bombed a 3rd world country from the 1700's to the 1500's , And our boys are still dying over there, and we still only control 15 mile radius around each major town, warlords still have the rest of the country. And we still think Osama is on the Afgan / Pakistani boarder.




And speaking of the Airforce it should be spending it's money on pilotless vehicles rather than $200B over the next 5 years on joint strike fighter.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,407
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Originally posted by: LeadMagnet
The SSBN fleet is the most survivable and cost efficient arm of the nuclear triad. Our other warships do not carry nukes.

Surface ship board nukes
Sea-launched cruise and anti-ship missiles are the fourth
largest, and fastest growing, category of naval nuclear weapons.
The U.S. and Soviet navies currently have about 900 nuclear sea-
launched cruise missiles, of eight different types. Nuclear-
armed sea-launched cruise missiles (SLCMs) are currently deployed
on 107 surface ships and 118 submarines (225 total platforms).
most of those are so-called tactical nukes, without the range or power of an SLBM. the other thing is that the subs are far more survivable than any surface force anyone has ever come up with.
Force projection is essential in the Gulf, in and around the Taiwan Straits and in the Med,
Is really just the US trying to force it's policeys down another countries throat.
as a sovereign state we have that right
I prefer to think of it from a strategic (and intelligent) point of view. Pulling our troops out of SK is going to do what? Give Kim Jong an opportunity to take what he needs by force? Let's do the smart thing and keep the troops there and negotiate from a position of strength.
Yes it has worked so well for the past 40+ years. Almost as well as the embargo on Cuba.
the NKs haven't invaded in the last 50 years, so i would consider it a smashing success, unlike that crappy embargo
20-year Army vet here disagreeing. Army does not have the flexibility of USMC - period.
The Army cannot do it just as well especially when it comes to the MEU and how does expanding special forces make up for the Marines? It's two totally different missions.
The army should be able to have a flexable quick deploying arm that is capable of Marine like invasion. Expanding the Army's specail forces units will help develop the unit.
part of the MC's flexibility is its special relationship with the navy. while i do think that the current divisions between the branches are antiquated and counter-productive, the divisions will remain for quite a while, if not forever. even if the structure was completely unified for the military everyone would still have their pet projects/interests. plus, the MC is huge. half the army would be "special" forces if it had to fill in for the MC's role. plus each part of the special forces has its own area of expertise, not really the same mission type as the marines.
Subs are the still most survivable and threatening.
And expensive. With the nukes on our current surface ships, what the AirForce can fire/drop and whats in the silohs I'd say we can have a couple to hit NK or Iran with.
upkeep cost on them is pretty low. plus, you still haven't come up with something to get anywhere near as close for survivability.
Forget about the fact that we were able to deploy on short notice to Afghanistan
yeah we showed them - we bombed a 3rd world country from the 1700's to the 1500's , And our boys are still dying over there, and we still only control 15 mile radius around each major town, warlords still have the rest of the country. And we still think Osama is on the Afgan / Pakistani boarder.
what would you have us do, stop looking, abandon afghanistan?


And speaking of the Airforce it should be spending it's money on pilotless vehicles rather than $200B over the next 5 years on joint strike fighter.
pilotless vehicles have a long way to go before they replace manned aircraft as the primary aircraft over the battlefield. and its not like they're not spending money developing pilotless vehicles.

 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,407
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Originally posted by: Insane3Dat the very least streamlined to eliminate waste. IMO.

you could say that for almost all government aquisitions.