Response to Lowry on defense cuts

Last Wednesday, the Southeast Missourian published an op-ed column by Rich Lowry criticizing Secretary Hagel's proposed budget for the Department of Defense (DOD). Mr. Lowry contended the size of the armed forces should not be reduced.

In our present situation, it is possible that the United States may get involved in a conventional war, counterinsurgency, cyber warfare, and/or small unit operations against terrorists. Mr. Lowry did not get into the specifics of how he thinks the armed forces should be structured given these contingencies. Secretary Hagel, however, had to make these tough decisions.

It should also be noted the 1970 Nixon appointed commission that recommended moving from the draft to an all volunteer force said over time the program would be unsustainable unless the following were ended:

* The 20-year cliff vesting retirement;

* The up and out promotion system;

* Basing pay and compensation on time in grade instead of skills and performance.

The all-volunteer program started in 1973, and 40 years later none of those changes has occurred. As a result, we now have 2.4 million retirees and only 1.4 million on active duty. Additionally DOD has a $52 billion a year health-care bill for 9 million beneficiaries, of which 5.5 million are retirees and their dependents.

If Mr. Lowry wants to maintain the armed forces at their present size, he needs to explain how he would handle retiree expenses. Perhaps he would support tax increases to cover these growing costs.

JOHN PIEPHO, Cape Girardeau