Pentagon Plans to Shrink Army to Pre-World War II Level

Jester2138 · February 24, 2014

Cutting the A-10 entirely, but leaving the F35 untouched. Cutting US Army personnel to 450,000 instead of 490,000. Dropping the idea of being able to fight two major land wars simultaenously. No changes to retirement benifits to those currently serving.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/24/us/politics/pentagon-plans-to-shrink-army-to-pre-world-war-ii-level.html?_r=0

akscott60 · February 24, 2014

Being broke sucks. I am sure we will all suffer reduced flying hour programs.

Flim · February 24, 2014

less pilots = more flight time! If they reduce the numbers from the top...

Rob1237051 · February 24, 2014

Also BAH reductions and TRICARE increases.

Flim · February 24, 2014

Ya, I'm not sure how the future really looks ... I guess more positions in the 160th will open.

Any good rumors in the inside?

Velocity173 · February 24, 2014

Ya, I'm not sure how the future really looks ... I guess more positions in the 160th will open.

Any good rumors in the inside?

160th is always looking for people. Every post I was on they were recruiting heavily and offering bonuses.

One good thing in all this, the future vertical lift aircraft isn't going to be cut. Any of you all stay in past 2030, you might have a shot at flying one.

stearmann4 · February 25, 2014

160th is always looking for people. Every post I was on they were recruiting heavily and offering bonuses.

Sort of; the bonus of years past is gone starting FY14. You do get 10K the day you graduate from Green Platoon, but the 25K annually is a thing of the past. Also, we are not currently taking senior W3s or W4s, but that can change from board to board. This is birne of a bunch of good W4s we received who are now getting forced out because they can't make W5.

The flying really doesn't slow down though, there's always bad guys and contingencies somewhere in the world that need lifiting...

The good news is that a good number of us in the REGT are aging out. Most of us are well over 20 years, and over 40 years old. I've seen retirements rise rapidly in the last year or so. It should remain a good opportunity for junior WOs for the forseeable future.

brackac · February 25, 2014

I have 6 months to sweat out board results.

Joe_P148 · February 25, 2014

I have 6 months to sweat out board results.

Yeah... The wait is rough, good luck!

brackac · February 25, 2014

Yeah... The wait is rough, good luck!

I've checked every block, still nerve-racking.

brackac · February 25, 2014

Sort of; the bonus of years past is gone starting FY14. You do get 10K the day you graduate from Green Platoon, but the 25K annually is a thing of the past. Also, we are not currently taking senior W3s or W4s, but that can change from board to board. This is birne of a bunch of good W4s we received who are now getting forced out because they can't make W5.

The flying really doesn't slow down though, there's always bad guys and contingencies somewhere in the world that need lifiting...

The good news is that a good number of us in the REGT are aging out. Most of us are well over 20 years, and over 40 years old. I've seen retirements rise rapidly in the last year or so. It should remain a good opportunity for junior WOs for the forseeable future.

Special Operations and supporting units don't have to worry, their budgets are protected, which will make units like the 160th even more attractive.

Velocity173 · February 25, 2014

Sort of; the bonus of years past is gone starting FY14. You do get 10K the day you graduate from Green Platoon, but the 25K annually is a thing of the past. Also, we are not currently taking senior W3s or W4s, but that can change from board to board. This is birne of a bunch of good W4s we received who are now getting forced out because they can't make W5.

The flying really doesn't slow down though, there's always bad guys and contingencies somewhere in the world that need lifiting...

The good news is that a good number of us in the REGT are aging out. Most of us are well over 20 years, and over 40 years old. I've seen retirements rise rapidly in the last year or so. It should remain a good opportunity for junior WOs for the forseeable future.

Yeah they sure aren't promoting many CW4s these days. My old BTL stands officer and safety officer both got turned down for 5. Both had solid records too.

d10 · February 25, 2014

That makes me sad to hear. My old battalion stands guy got picked up for 5 and he was a real POS.

SBuzzkill · February 25, 2014

What a shame.

As for the downsizing I think everyone saw this coming. So it's not a surprise.

Edited February 25, 2014 by SBuzzkill

Flim · February 25, 2014

Crazy, because they are still taking pilots... I would assume with such a draw down they would freeze recruiting for a while.

Velocity173 · February 25, 2014

Nah, a freeze will create a problem for the entire economy in some areas. Not to mention all the contractors at Rucker would still get paid with no aircraft flying.

They'll Just be more discriminating on who they take and who they promote. Over time that'll trim the fat.

TriViper · February 25, 2014

Keep in mind this is only a proposal at this point, not something that will automatically be executed. There's been a lot of push back on this so we'll see if it actually comes to fruition.