American College of National Security Leaders’ Post

So, as a follow-up to my post from last week (see below), the SECAF says the transfer from the ANG to the part-time USSF would be a one-off. I tend to agree with this. His logic is sound. Members from other branches and units of the military have been transferring into the USSF for the last 4 years, without any disruption to the mission or national security. Leaving the ANG units whose mission in the lanes of space and the USSF fall under the chain of command of the USAF is a mistake. Also a mistake is the creation of an entirely new bureau for less than 1000 people. The simplest means is to transfer them into the new USSF full- or part-time structure. For the part-timers, the change would be minimal. A change in uniform patches and colors, and the elimination of any State mission. We better keep popping that popcorn, this is going to be entertaining to follow. Check out the update here from Breaking Defense: https://lnkd.in/gcVG7cHS (Transfer of Air National Guard units to Space Force would be a one-off, says Air Force Secretary)

Congress has just passed its fourth consecutive short-term spending bill to avoid a government shutdown, extending Defense Department funding at fiscal 2023 levels through March 22. However, the uncertainty surrounding the passing of the full FY24 budget is raising concerns across the board. Five months into the fiscal year, lawmakers have yet to pass a full FY24 budget, leaving the Pentagon in a state of limbo. The lack of full-year funding has not only hindered forward progress that is vital for the country's security and technological advancement but has also put key government programs in purgatory. Furthermore, the House Freedom Caucus' insistence on policy riders in the appropriations bill have further complicated matters, creating roadblocks that need to be addressed. The looming threat of the debt ceiling deal putting government funding on a one-year continuing resolution that would cut spending at the Pentagon and all other federal agencies by 1% is also adding to the alarm. The Pentagon itself has sounded the alarm on the potential consequences of a one-year stopgap funding measure at FY23 levels, with undersecretaries of the Navy, Army, and Air Force highlighting the billions of dollars in "misaligned" funds that would result from such a measure. Moreover, the impact of a 1% sequester on the military's buying power and space modernization projects has prompted the Air Force to warn about the potential repercussions. At a time when the global landscape is fraught with military conflicts and evolving threats, the lack of a full FY24 budget is not only hindering the Pentagon's ability to implement new modernization programs but is also impacting its capacity to support the defense-industrial base. Given the gravity of the situation, it is imperative for Congress to prioritize the passing of the full FY24 budget and address the policy riders that are impeding progress. The stakes are high, and the consequences of further delays could have a lasting impact on the country's security and technological advancement. #GovernmentFunding #DefenseBudget #Fiscal2023 #Pentagon #PolicyRiders #military #congress

The national debt just surpassed $34T for the first time. Our dysfunctional Congress begins another round of debate over Federal spending. American military spending is likely to rise at an exponential rate - whether a GOP or Democrat administration - with the defense budget increasing every year since 2016. I remain less than optimistic about a short-term continuing resolution to fund the government in 16 days. Still, facing our first federal shutdown since 12/22/18 - 1/25/19 would not be a great way to start the New Year. Let’s hope this is not the case. #riskmanagement

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warns that a six-month temporary budget bill could severely impact the military. In a letter to Congress, Austin emphasized that a continuing resolution (CR) would cap spending at 2024 levels, hindering crucial defense programs and military recruitment efforts. The proposed bill could cut defense spending by over $6 billion, delay essential projects, and disrupt pay raises for military personnel, ultimately compromising U.S. readiness against adversaries like China. Congress must act before September 30 to avoid a government shutdown and ensure the military can maintain its operational effectiveness. #DefenseBudget #MilitaryReadiness #LloydAustin #Congress #GovernmentShutdown #Pentagon #USMilitary #NationalSecurity #BudgetCrisis

The emergency national security supplemental isn't just about the funding for the Department of Defense; it's also important for the upcoming omnibus reprogramming package in June and contract obligations tempo for the remainder of FY24. Learn more from Federal Budget IQ's Chauncey Goss #defensebudget #defenseindustry #defensecontracting #defense #pentagon #budget #researchanddevelopment #congress #presidentbiden #fy24

Michael Meese recently gave an excellent presentation on the national defense implications of the federal budget challenge. His talk provides a clear, data-driven overview of macroeconomic trends that will significantly impact the defense budget in the coming years. A key concern of mine is that the full effects of these trends (in the form of substantial defense budget cuts) likely won't materialize until the late 2020s or early 2030s. This extended timeline is problematic, as policymakers and military planners tend to focus overwhelmingly on a 1 to 5-year time horizon. Anything beyond that receives insufficient attention IMO. All this raises an important question: Does DoD have the necessary processes and incentives in place to ensure that ongoing decisions about strategy, requirements, acquisitions, and force structure are fully informed by these macroeconomic trends? We must avoid backing into a modernization corner that will unravel due to future economic factors that we saw coming but neglected to account for. Meese's presentation provides a helpful warning about aligning current defense priorities with the fiscal realities on the horizon. Moving forward, I believe we need a deeper analysis of how to optimize our military capabilities within the constraints of a restricted budget environment. Hudson Institute https://lnkd.in/eAAG4SNt

Federal Budget IQ's Chauncey Goss breaks down the DOD portion of the emergency national security supplemental bill enacted April 24 for us. Critically, though the bulk of the $67.3 billion for the Pentagon is for O&M ($41 billion) Congress made much of that funding is available for transfer to acquisition programs. Of course the military services needed the funding to cover the costs of operations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, to backfill munitions transferred to partners, and to bolster deterrence, but buried in the bill was $640 million for research, development, test and evaluation as well. The supplemental is crtical to getting DOD funding for the rest of the year on track. Look for an acceleration of contract obligations and a bigger than normal surge in Q4 because of the lateness of the regular appropriations bills and the size of this supplemental. Dig into the numbers and learn more. #defense #pentagon #defenseindustry #defensebudget #fy24 #defensecontracting #army #navy #airforce #researchanddevelopment #defenseacquisition #congress #presidentbiden #israel #ukraine #taiwan #irondome #davidssling #indopacom #eucom #centcom https://lnkd.in/eYMsEfUU

Senate Armed Services Committee advances 2025 defense policy bill  The SASC bill requires the U.S. Air Force to transfer certain space functions of the Air National Guard to the U.S. Space Force - Space policy provisions in the SASC bill: 1. Requires the U.S. Air Force to transfer certain space functions of the Air National Guard to the U.S. Space Force. But such transfer should not reduce the end strength for the affected state Air National Guard organizations. 2. Requires DoD to convene private equity firms to discuss opportunities in the competition space and address “adversarial predatory investment strategies.” 3. Authorizes DOD to identify poor-performing contractors and require approval for additional contracts. 4. Authorizes the designation of a Program Executive Office for space-based air and ground moving target indication. 5. Directs a review of DOD efforts to acquire new moving target indicator capabilities and related programs. 6. Authorizes the establishment of a Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve program and requires a report on commercial insurance for DoD space support services. 7. Requires DOD to designate a Program Executive Officer for Space Command, Control, and Integration to acquire a system to support a combined operations center at the National Space Defense Center. - https://lnkd.in/e_hGnmmf

There are multiple positives for Ukraine funding this piece lays out: 1. Countering Russian aggression to maintain rule of law and order against authoritarian aggression. 2. Jobs and cash into the US economy 3. Updates and modernization of US munitions stocks 4. Better preparation for future potential conflict elsewhere (should it unfortunately occur)

If our Navy is having a 1930’s moment as the CNO stated recently, we should do what they did in the 1930’s: -President Roosevelt issued an executive order in 1933 allowing $238 million in emergency public works funds to be used to build thirty‐two warships over the next three years. -Pass the Vinson-Trammell Act of 1934 which authorized the Navy to construct 102 new warships over the next eight years. -Pass the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 “to further the development and maintenance of an adequate and well-balanced American merchant marine, to promote the commerce of the United States, to aid in the national defense…” -Pass the Naval Act of 1938 which increased the Navy by 20 percent. -Pass the Two Ocean Navy Act of 1940 which increased the size of the Navy by 70 percent. All during the Great Depression and before we were at war. Japan did not awaken a sleeping giant at Pearl Harbor - our defense industry already had a nearly ten year running start. https://lnkd.in/exygAUjh