The announcement of an “Efficiency Initiative” by Defense Secretary Robert Gates last August still resonates in the Commonwealth as we continue to monitor the prospective changes that will be implemented as a result of the Secretary’s proposal. Initial reports suggest significant effects upon military installations, programs, and private contractors within the Commonwealth. With a large military and contractor presence, Virginia must be assured that these decisions are in the best interest of the defense of this nation.
I strongly agree efficiencies in both DoD and throughout the federal government must be found. Federal government spending has skyrocketed to unsustainable levels, adding to the uncertainty felt across our economy.
However, what lacked in the initial announcement was the strategic, thoughtful analysis leading to these decisions. As I wrote last August in USA Today, and still believe: this decision appears to have been made without thoughtful consideration of the long-term strategic implications for our national defense. Despite repeated requests, the DoD has failed to provide the members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation evidence of a thoughtful analysis.
Specifically, Secretary Gates proposed the complete elimination of Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), citing the need for reductions in defense spending and the need for more efficiency in the Department’s spending. Additionally, he stated JFCOM had grown substantially and achieved its mission of creating jointness in the military. He also called for an across-the-board cut of contractors, “by 10 percent a year for each of the next three years.”
Decisions of this magnitude by our military leaders have serious national security implications. I have deep concerns for how this efficiencies announcement will impact the United States Marine Corps, the defense contractor workforce, the existing JFCOM mission, and military retirees and active duty personnel when it comes to TRICARE.
Our nation and Virginia has much at stake. JFCOM alone employs about 5,800 military and civilian workers and private contractors, including workers next door to Fredericksburg at the Joint Warfare Analysis Center at Dahlgren. These operations have provided critical and timely support to our warfighters across the globe. Where will our military be if they can no longer meet these crucial demands from our men and women in uniform downrange?
Since this announcement, I have joined with Virginia’s congressional delegation, along with Governor Bob McDonnell, to press the DoD for further explanation on how this decision will impact joint operations of our military. We have met with Secretary Gates, Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn, and have directly questioned them and other DoD officials about the lack of analysis for these decisions.
We continue to press for transparency from the DoD. We are no closer today than we were in August when the initiative was first announced, to understanding how decisions are being made at the Pentagon. I have yet to see any substantive data or analysis, let alone any kind of implementation plan that shows the cost savings, strategic analysis, or a consistent decision making process, to support these efficiencies initiatives.
DoD claims the disestablishment of JFCOM will save $400 million annually that will be re-invested in to the support of the warfighter. 50% of the personnel and budget for JFCOM will remain with core missions of joint training, (force provider)?, concept and doctrine development and joint integration. Can 50% of the personnel and budget execute the JFCOM mission at a new, lower level? Can 50% less of a workforce still answer the workload for joint training? This all remains to be seen because a decision was put ahead of thorough analysis. Unfortunately, now we are in a position where analysis will be conducted after a decision, which could have a negative impact on the way we conduct joint warfare and training for years to come.
As the Representative of the First District and the Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, I will continue to press the Department of Defense for information and ask the questions necessary to hold them accountable to the actions affecting Virginia and, more largely, the defense of our nation.
Rob Wittman represents the First Congressional District of Virginia and is the Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
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