SUMMARY OF ACTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL AND FORCES [Yearend—i.e., as of September 30] 1977 1978 1979 actual estimate estimate Military personnel (in thousands): End strength: Army------------------------------------------------- 782 774 772 Navy------------------------------------------------- 530 532 522 Marine Corps------------------------------------------ 192 192 190 Air Force---------------------------------------------- 570 571 566 Total, Department of Defense-------------------------- 2,074 2,069 2,049 Average strength: Army------------------------------------------------- 779 773 772 Navy------------------------------------------------- 529 529 526 Marine Corps------------------------------------------ 189 192 190 Air Force---------------------------------------------- 579 573 571 Total, Department of Defense-------------------------- 2,075 2,066 2,059 Strategic forces: Intercontinental ballistic missiles: Minuteman-------------------------------------------- 1,000 1,000 1,000 Titan II----------------------------------------------- 54 54 54 Polaris-Poseidon---------------------------------------- 656 656 656 Strategic bomber squadrons-------------------------------- 24 24 24 General purpose forces: Land forces: Army divisions----------------------------------------- 16 16 16 Marine Corps divisions---------------------------------- 3 3 3 Tactical air forces: Air Force wings---------------------------------------- 26 26 26 Navy attack wings------------------------------------- 13 12 12 Marine Corps wings------------------------------------- 3 3 3 Naval Forces: Attack and multipurpose carriers------------------------- 13 13 13 Nuclear attack submarines------------------------------- 66 70 73 Other warships----------------------------------------- 168 166 172 Amphibious assault ships-------------------------------- 62 64 65 Airlift and sealist forces: C-5A airlift squadrons------------------------------------ 4 4 4 Other strategic airlift squadrons---------------------------- 13 13 13 Troopships, cargo ships, and tankers------------------------ 48 48 48 * initial production of the new Patriot air defense system, and increased production of the Roland missile developed jointly with the Germans and the French and compatible with NATO air defense; and * large increases in purchases of support equipment necessary to maintain the overall combat effectiveness of Army units. In addition, the budget proposes that the Army continue to increase prepositioned stocks and equipment in Europe to enable U.S.-based divisions to deploy there rapidly in a crisis. Present stocks are adequate to support a little more than two additional divisions. Current plans call for prepositioning in Europe enough equipment for five U.S. divisions by 1983. The budget also proposes improving the combat readiness of Army forces now stationed in Europe in 1979 by increases in their ammunition stocks. The Air Force portion of NATO-related forces will be strengthened by further purchase of three new combat aircraft: • the F-15, designed to be the the world's most effective air superiority fighter; • the A-10, designed for antiarmor and close air support missions; and • the F-16, a multipurpose, high-performance fighter that is being coproduced by a consortium of our NATO allies. In addition, the budget proposes continued production of the AWACS early warning and control aircraft, and modifications and improvements to strengthen the capabilities of current deployed tactical aircraft. The budget also provides for increased dispersal of the Air Force's operating aircraft in Europe to reduce their vulnerability to surprise attack. Naval forces have three major objectives: sea control, power projection, and peacetime presence. Sea control involves the establishment and maintenance of naval superiority in ocean areas to protect sea lines of communication and transportation, and to deny use of the oceans to the enemy. Power projection consists of the use of naval aircraft and gunfire in support of land operations and the use of amphibious forces in assaults on land areas. The peacetime presence mission is fulfilled through the overseas deployment of naval forces to deter hostilities, influence the outcome of crises, and provide a tangible symbol of American commitment. To help carry out these naval missions, $42 billion in shipbuilding funds are projected for the period 1979–83. The Department of Defense is currently studying the question of whether construction of additional aircraft carriers, and if so, of what type, is necessary to meet Navy mission requirements. Pending completion of this study in the spring, the Department's 5-year shipbuilding plan defers several major shipbuilding decisions to next year. The 1979 shipbuilding plan provides for 14 general purpose force ships, 12 of which are required primarily for sea control. These include an attack submarine, eight frigates designed for convoy and other escort duties, and three towed-array sonar ships to expand submarine detection capabilities. The 1979 plan includes two auxiliary ships for fleet support. The budget also proposes modernization of Navy and Marine tactical aviation forces through initial procurement of the F-18 fighter/attack aircraft and further procurement of the A-4M light attack aircraft. Airlift and sealift forces.—The mission of the strategic mobility forces is to move U.S. troops and material rapidly wherever they may be needed to counter threats against U.S. interests. Proposed 1979 budget authority of $1.8 billion will provide for the continued operation and improvement of these forces. Various aircraft programs are proposed to improve the U.S. capability to move combat units and supplies during the critical early stages of an overseas conflict. Aircraft modifications are proposed to extend the usable service life of the C-5A transport aircraft and to improve the long-haul capability of the C-141 transport. Civil Reserve Air Fleet aircraft will be modified to permit rapid conversion from passenger to cargo aircraft. Initial procurement of the advanced tanker/cargo aircraft is proposed to provide tactical air forces and mobility forces with a unique, long-range refueling capability. Guard and reserve forces.—Guard and reserve forces provide a ready pool of trained manpower available for rapid augmentation of regular active forces in a national emergency. Their mission is to recruit, train, and retain personnel and units that serve on a part time basis in peacetime, but which can be rapidly and effectively employed with the active forces when needed. The budget proposes tailoring reserve forces more closely to the highest priority missions; upgrading equipment; improving management; and increasing integration of guard and reserve units with counterpart active duty units. In order to strengthen recruitment and retention, the budget proposes greater use of advertising, and increased use of full-time recruiters. A review of reserve compensation to evaluate its effectiveness in meeting manning requirements and to identify measures to improve further the ability of reserve forces to achieve their mission will be completed this year. Research and development.—The mission of defense research and development (R. & D.) is to devise new weapon systems so that potential enemies will continue to find themselves at a distinct technological disadvantage relative to the forces of the United States and its allies. To accomplish this mission, defense R. & D. supports a wide variety of activities ranging from basic research to construction of full-scale preproduction hardware. The budget proposes that budget authority for defense R. & D. increase by 10% in 1979. Major R. & D. efforts proposed for 1979 are: • Technology base.—Basic research funding is increased 7% in real terms over the 1978 level. • Strategic systems.--All three elements of the strategic triad—land, sea, and air systems—will be improved. The budget proposes continued development of the M-X intercontinental ballistic missile, of strategic submarine systems, and a continued competitive program for air-launched cruise missiles. • Tactical systems.-The budget stresses development of systems to improve early combat capability for U.S. forces in the defense of Western Europe. This includes the development of new tanks, guns, ordnance, tactical aircraft, and air defense systems. Increases are also provided for naval forces, including submarine warfare systems. R. & D. efforts conducted in cooperation with NATO allies will receive increased emphasis. • Other defense R. & D.—The budget provides for continued improvements in defense intelligence systems, worldwide communications systems, and test and evaluation capabilities. Defense support for the NASA space shuttle program will continue. Training, medical, and other general personnel support activities.—The mission of these support forces is to assure that the military services attract, train, retain, and keep in good health adequate numbers of personnel to enable military units to accomplish their missions. Recruiting programs seek to attract the proper number and type of personnel to fulfill military requirements. Individual training and education involves the training of military personnel in formal, technical, and professional education courses conducted by the four military services. Its purpose is to provide service members with job skills useful in military units. The budget proposes changes to training programs that will reduce the amount of time military personnel spend in formal training, and reduce costs. The medical programs of the Department of Defense keep military personnel in good physical condition and keep the military medical system prepared to provide health care under wartime conditions. In addition, the civilian health and medical program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) provides comprehensive health care benefits to authorized beneficiaries. Civilian personnel provide continuity of administration and operations and afford essential managerial and technical capabilities for support operations. Personnel-related outlays are the single largest component of defense spending. For several years there has been concern about the level, adequacy and complexity of the current military compensation system. In order to resolve these concerns, the President has established a Commission on Military Compensation, which is undertaking a comprehensive review of military pay and benefits, including retired pay, and will make recommendations on future military compensation policies later this year. Reductions in defense civilian employment over the 1977–79 period total 7,000, and are not as large or as rapid as previously anticipated. This is due to delays in base realinements and further contiacting out of support services. However, the budget does reflect anticipated savings from legislation to reform the Federal wage system. The proposal would reduce Defense payroll costs by $2.0 billion over the next 5 years by changing present laws governing blue-collar pay rates that result in Federal workers being paid more than their private sector counterparts. Financing military retirement costs on an accrual basis.-Legislation is proposed to finance military retirement costs on an accrual basis, through a trust fund. This will clear up some major problems in management and in the budgetary treatment of military retirement, and will end most of the inconsistencies between military and civilian retirement systems in the budget presentation. At the present time, the defense budget shows the amount for payments to military retirees ($10.2 billion estimated for 1979). This amount has nothing to do with current military forces or defense programs—it is exclusively a payment for past services. The military personnel serving today are earning future retirement benefits. The value of these benefits is relevant in considering current defense programs and their costs. This ultimate cost of military retirement benefits earned amounts to more than $7 billion for 1979. This large cost is not shown in the budget nor elsewhere in the accounting and financial system. The ultimate costs of active military personnel are thus significantly understated at all levels: in local and headquarters manpower cost analyses, in the budget, and in the materials |