Odierno: Sequestration Threatens Army Readiness

SSG Norman Lihou — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 18:56:20 -0500

Gen. Ray Odierno reported that instability continues to increase globally, especially in light of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, whose unforeseen expansion and erosion of order there and in Syria have significantly heightened conflict in the region and beyond.

During the past three years “we have already significantly reduced the capabilities of the United States Army, and this is before sequestration begins again in 2016,” Odierno told the Senate panel.

“In the last 3 years,” the general said, “the Army’s active component end strength has been reduced by 80,000; the reserve component by 18,000.”

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=128061

With sequestration looming in the 2016 budget, the Army chief of staff told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the national security environment is the most uncertain he’s seen in his nearly 40

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jan 28 at 2015 7:13 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 19:13:37 -0500

It's interesting how a backstop like sequestration that was supposed to force compromise, and never be the actual policy seems irrevocable now...

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 7:15 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 19:15:07 -0500

This is just what Congress needs to hear, and from the Army's top guy. Perfect. Maybe they will be able to put the brakes on sequestration, or at least slow it down, with a Republican majority in both houses. I'm hopeful. If the politicians decimate the military again (like after Vietnam), we'll just repeat the cycle. Thanks to leaders like GEN Odierno, we have a chance to break the cycle and remain prepared for whatever may come.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 27 at 2015 2:29 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 14:29:18 -0400

No $#!+ Sherlock! The Sequestration pain is all in the personnel budget. This is destroying readiness and morale...