On the Brink of Disaster: Can Congress Save the U.S. Military?

Justin T. Johnson

Security,

The defense authorization bill is the best chance Congress has to stop the downward spiral that our military faces

This week the House of Representatives takes up the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2017. Much of the debate and media coverage will revolve around a handful of controversial provisions ranging from nuclear weapons to religious freedom.

These debates are important, but the most important question that Americans should ask Congress is this: Will this bill begin to rebuild the U.S. military?

The U.S. military is in rough shape and needs serious repair. Over the last few months, senior military leaders have repeatedly testified to Congress that America’s military is dangerously weak and unprepared.

For example, Marine Corps mechanics have had to scavenge F-18 parts from museums to keep their planes flying. Even with the scavenging only 30 percent of those F-18’s are ready to fly today. Unfortunately, similar serious challenges face all the military services.

The 2016 Index of U.S. Military Strength looked at the size, capabilities and readiness of each part of the military and concluded that as a package the military is only “marginal” in its ability to protect America. The Army, which just became the smallest since before World War II, fell even lower to a “weak” rating due to the dramatic cuts in its size and readiness.

The trend is clear—the military is getting smaller and less ready.

If the world were becoming more peaceful, a smaller, weaker military might be considered acceptable. But the threats against U.S. vital interests are only growing. America’s personal information and national secrets are being stolen by cyber-attacks. Terrorist organizations are alive and eager to do harm to Americans and our friends. Russia has invaded Ukraine. China is building illegal islands.