Four-star officers on chopping block in House budget bill

House lawmakers want more troops in the ranks but fewer four-stars to lead them.

To solve that, the bill includes a requirement to dump at least five of the 38 four-star posts across the armed services in coming years — the Coast Guard commandant would not be included in the list — and ensure that subordinate commanders within combatant commands serve at a grade no higher than three stars.

The move appears specifically aimed at situations like the Defense Department's Pacific Command, which in addition Adm. Harry Harris Jr., the unified command's leader, boasts three other four-star officers who fill service-specific posts.

"The committee remains concerned that a top-heavy chain of command within the combatant commands adds unnecessary headquarters staff, adds distance and layers between commanders and warfighters, and slows decision making and agility of command," the authorization bill's report states.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter has already suggested culling the total number of top-rank officers, but without proposals as specific as the House committee now has laid out.

The legislation does not outline a deadline for when the reductions need to occur, only that Pentagon leaders must submit a report on how they plan to make the cuts to ensure command stability.

The committee has already outlined plans to add about 27,000 troops above the White House's end strength request in next year's defense budget, a plan that defense officials warn will add billions in personnel costs in coming years.

The four-star cuts also come alongside a proposal by House lawmakers to elevate the military's Cyber Command to a unified command "with the primary function to prepare cyber operations forces to carry out assigned missions."

Senate lawmakers have voiced similar concerns about the size of military support staffs and the importance of cyber missions, but have not signed off on the specific House plans.

The House committee is scheduled to amend its draft of the budget policy legislation on Wednesday. Both chambers hope to have their respective drafts finalized by the start of the summer, to begin conference committee negotiations on the final measure.

Leo Shane III covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He can be reached at lshane@militarytimes.com.

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