Congress funds only 317,050 airmen

[CommunityEditor]

Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ pleas for more airmen did not go unheard by the money-keepers in Congress.

They just decided not to pick up the tab.

Wednesday’s joint congressional report on 2009 fiscal year authorizations, or the explanation of what Congress is willing to pay for, did not authorize funds for more than 317,050 airmen. That number is far less than the 328,000 Gates said he wanted in blue suits and ABUs by the end of 2009.

“The Secretary of Defense has stated that he will support the Air Force’s request to maintain its active-duty end strength well above the 316,000 level previously approved in connection with its recapitalization planning,” read the congressional report.

“We do not oppose the Air Force’s efforts to maintain a higher end strength, and expect the Department and the Air Force to work with the Congress in finding appropriate funding sources in 2009.”


Article: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/20...zation_092408/

[technomage1]

Of course, Congress' automatic annual pay raise will go without a vote again this year.

[smarg]

Originally Posted by CommunityEditor

Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ pleas for more airmen did not go unheard by the money-keepers in Congress.

They just decided not to pick up the tab.

Wednesday’s joint congressional report on 2009 fiscal year authorizations, or the explanation of what Congress is willing to pay for, did not authorize funds for more than 317,050 airmen. That number is far less than the 328,000 Gates said he wanted in blue suits and ABUs by the end of 2009.

“The Secretary of Defense has stated that he will support the Air Force’s request to maintain its active-duty end strength well above the 316,000 level previously approved in connection with its recapitalization planning,” read the congressional report.

“We do not oppose the Air Force’s efforts to maintain a higher end strength, and expect the Department and the Air Force to work with the Congress in finding appropriate funding sources in 2009.”


Article: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/20...zation_092408/

This is the result of the moronic "bodies for F-22s" policy of Jumper and Moseley: when you try and switch resources internally, the outside budget controllers think you really don't need that many folks and give you what they think is due accordingly.

Gawd, what a rotten legacy the fighter pilots left. McPeak, Ryan, Fogleman, Jumper, Moseley...all losers.

[BERSERKER]

Originally Posted by smarg

This is the result of the moronic "bodies for F-22s" policy of Jumper and Moseley: when you try and switch resources internally, the outside budget controllers think you really don't need that many folks and give you what they think is due accordingly.

Gawd, what a rotten legacy the fighter pilots left. McPeak, Ryan, Fogleman, Jumper, Moseley...all losers.

My thoughts exactly. We, as an Air Force, have lost all credibility with Congress. It will take many years to rebuild that trust.

[sigecaps]

No it's the result of do more with less. People tend to question why you need more, when you have been doing just fine with less.

[FLAPS]

No surprise...which is why I thought Sec Gates' pledge to stop the drawdown was meaningless. You can't promise something you can't pay for. Now it will be interesting to see which coffer the AF chooses to rob to pay for its higher manning projections.

[BTDTNM]

Meanwhile it is still OK to send Airmen off to be Soldiers in the ridiculous ILO crap.

[smarg]

Originally Posted by BTDTNM

Meanwhile it is still OK to send Airmen off to be Soldiers in the ridiculous ILO crap.

Indeed. Imagine, the effects of a decision by a clueless fighter pilot to send an enlisted Air Force dental technician for convoy duty in Afghanistan.

Whaaa??

[WillsPowers]

Doesn't surprise me in the least that the Air Force's reputation and clout has been shot in the foot by it's own leadership.

Lost nukes, lost triggering components, Major Metzger mess, General Fiscus mess, Col. Murphy mess, the tanker scandal-----hey even Congress is starting to hear about these things! The Air Force is like Wall Street---broke and in need of a fix!

I'm sorry this has happened.

[Lefty]

Wow...I love how they simply "forgot" to go do something like this. Many young soldiers (I hate the term "airman" by the way) are planning on leaving the service not only because of the lack of credibility, but because of the treatment. My unit is suffering from this type of behavior, and our leadership is now realizing that they shouldn't treat us like crap anymore. I was originally planning on spending a career in the USAF, but now I'm not so sure anymore.