Unusual or otherwise unknown cost-cutting ideas to save the military from the Sequestration

SGT James Elphick — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 14:22:30 -0400

With the budget debate continuing and all service chiefs basically saying they cannot continue to operate on the budgets imposed by sequestration, what new, unusual, unheard of, or unprecedented ideas do you have that would save the services enough money while still remaining viable and maintaining operating capacity?

Mine are as follows:
1. Return to a universal uniform (as when we had BDU's). My suggestion for uniform? MARPAT
2. Make E-4 an NCO billet across all services
3. Reflag, retire, or move to the National Guard approximately 25-30% of the armored force replacing with light and Stryker units
4. Revise active duty manpower needs in support positions that could be moved to the Reserves or Guard
5. Stop the F-35 program
6. Improve the procurement process to reduce or eliminate waste

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 7:43 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 19:43:34 -0400

My suggestion, SGT James Elphick, would be less specific: I recommend focusing on personnel and less on equipment / weapons systems, because you can "buy" a LOT of people for the cost of one airplane, one tank, one ship. Your recommendation to stop the F-35 program fits in there. Same with your suggestion to improve the procurement process.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 7:50 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 19:50:45 -0400

Pay the politicians according to enlisted rank structure based on their time in service. Then donate the surplus saved to the military.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 7:54 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 19:54:56 -0400

I've got one... Make general officers fly Space-A, get rid of their personal jets. Make them fly coach.

Non military, but just as relevant.... Make Congress members fly coach on the governments dime and cut their pay by at least 25%.