Reign of Error: America's Weakening Military Strength Is Terrifying

would you hold it a little higher

Military Readiness: Pretty much everyone — even ex-state senator Barack Obama — says a president has no greater responsibility than national defense, protecting the homeland, its people and interests abroad. So why isn't he?

Americans have learned over time and especially since 2009 that what an administration says are its priorities and goals may be mere words.

Remember those millions of new jobs promised for the summer of 2010? Or the $2,500 in health care savings every family would enjoy with ObamaCare that have turned into $3,000 more in expenses?

So, it's particularly disturbing to read the Heritage Foundation's latest annual Index of U.S. Military Strength. We'd make some kind of timely Halloween reference here, but the nation's eroded, corroded military strength and capabilities documented therein are beyond scary. They're terrifying. A few disheartening examples:

• From 566,000 in 2011, the Army has been cut to 490,000 on the way to 450,000 and possibly 420,000.

• Under severe budget constraints, the Air Force is retiring older planes more expensive to operate. But their replacements are late coming into service. KC-135s comprise 87% of a vital flying tanker fleet, but average 50 years old, way past 100 in human years.

• The Air Force's tactical aircraft squadrons will soon number 26, down from 133 in the 1990s.

• The Navy stretches deployments to cover gaps. It's one carrier short into next year. Vice Chief of Operations Michelle Howard says, "Navy readiness is at its lowest point in many years."

• The Marine Corps, the crisis strike force, has fallen from 292,000 to 184,000. Fewer to come.

It's one thing to not recruit foot-soldiers. It's another to forcibly retire (even prosecute) career generals, as Obama's done. Worse, he's forced out hundreds of career majors and colonels. That wipes out an entire cohort of experienced officers who would have been our generals of the future.

Read the rest of this IBD editorial HERE.

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