The proposal from Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel would carve the active-duty Army to under 500,000, the lowest number of troops since 1940.
In addition, gone would the whole class of A-10 attack jets used by the Air Force.
The New York Times reports the goal is to stand down from the readiness demanded after the 9/11 attacks.
A high level Pentagon official put it like this. “You have to always keep your institution prepared, but you can’t carry a large land-war Defense Department when there is no large land war.”
Those proposing the cuts claim the US would still have the most powerful military in the world.
The Wall Street Journal looked into the budget and found other facts.
It includes smaller pay raises, reduced housing benefits and higher costs for health care.
It even reaches into the pantry.
Part of the proposal would slice the subsidies that allow commissaries to sell groceries to military families at a discounted price.
The Times says push back is expected from several groups, including veterans’ organizations, arms makers, and members of Congress whose states would face base closures.