CIC's vision! Maybe, it is time to defend our borders. Oh, wait! What about the next "we" and his idea/expectation/request/reality? I heard a funny joke: not to worry about our troop force or readiness. The path to citizenship will grant us plenty of recruits that can operate covert behind any border.
This is not a turning point that I want to see. I just do not understand why we would want to weaken our military and what that projects to the rest of the world. We are a superpower and far above average. At any time that we become an average nation militarily, we begin to surrender to any enemy that wants to destroy us.
We've done this after every major campaign. Bush 1 conducted a Reduction in Force (RIF) DURING Desert Storm. That had more to do with future retirement benifits but illustrates that point that defense is run like a business. If there is no current need then it's hard to justify the expense for an overwhelming ground force to sit ready. Defense technology development carries on though.
FTFY, unfortunately. All I can say is I'd hate to be the poor schmuck sitting slightly behind the advancement curve with 14-16 years in. You better re-up RIGHT NOW to fill out your 20 or you might not be able to later.
