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text:
African leaders pledge to improve emergency preparedness and response at West African Regional Conference on One Health
DAKAR, Senegal, 14 November 2016,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- On Friday, at the landmark West African Regional Conference on One Health in Dakar, Senegal, ministers of health, agriculture and wildlife renewed their commitment to working together to prevent and respond early to public health threats across West Africa. The collaboration comes as the region approaches the three year mark since the first Ebola case in the recent outbreak.
Representatives of West African countries and international partner organisations with the Prime Minister of Senegal (Photo Credit: World Health Organization)
One Health is an approach that calls on policymakers and health practitioners to consider the inextricable link between human, animal and environmental health when designing public health systems, research and programmes. In recent years, 75% of emerging infectious diseases have originated in animals or animal products. It is believed that Ebola spread to a young boy in rural Guinea from an infected animal, sparking an epidemic that infected more than 28,000 people, including in the capital cities of six West African countries. By taking an integrated approach to public health, communities and countries can identify outbreaks in animals before they spread to humans.
The conference – hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, in collaboration with other regional and international partners – is the strongest political commitment to One Health in West Africa to date. On Friday, 38 ministers from 16 countries in West Africa endorsed a communiqué, pledging their commitment to implement the One Health approach both within and across countries (see below). This is a critical step forward toward implementing the WHO's Regional Strategy on Health Security and Emergencies 2016-2020, which was agreed upon at the 66th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in August.
"Disease outbreaks and public health crises – many of which began in animals – have taken lives and livelihoods, severely impacted our industries and economies, and taken a serious toll on our already-stretched public health workforces," said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa. "With so much at stake, the world simply cannot afford to take a crisis-by-crisis approach to health security. Strong systems and coordinated efforts are needed – both within and between countries – to detect, report and control the spread of diseases that affect animals and humans."
West Africa is currently tackling outbreaks of several zoonotic diseases, such as avian influenza in poultry in Cameroon and Nigeria and Rift Valley fever in Niger, as well as vector-borne public health threats, such as the recent emergence of the Zika virus strain from Brazil in Cabo Verde and Guinea-Bissau. These diseases impact not only health, but also food security and economic security. For example, the Ebola outbreak cost Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone nearly US$600 million in lost gross domestic product, and avian influenza has cost the region tens of billions of dollars since 2013.
Additionally, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in animals and crops is resulting in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant disease pathogens – which is rendering common infectious diseases and bacterial infections more difficult and expensive to treat. The approach of incorporating human, animal and environmental health helps to keep these medicines effective by more carefully and diligently managing their use.
The communiqué signed by ministers will help bolster the regional coordination and strong systems that are needed to help prevent and stop disease outbreaks. The agreement also announced the creation of framework that will help countries work together across sectors and borders to ensure effective integration of human, animal and environmental health efforts. Ultimately, this will provide the basis for countries in West Africa to conduct joint preparedness and response planning at the country and sub-regional levels, which will help manage outbreaks before they become national and international crises.
Specifically, Member States party to the agreement have pledged to carry out national risk assessments and set up alert mechanisms for both common and emerging disease outbreaks within their territories. Governments will be tasked with integrating laboratories for human and animal samples to improve the timely diagnosis of diseases and track the spread of drug-resistant pathogens at the national level-a crucial step in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Together, these commitments will generate renewed momentum for West African countries to prioritise health security and pandemic preparedness. Ultimately, this will help drive progress towards existing commitments and initiatives, such as WHO's International Health Regulations (IHR), a legal tool that helps to ensure countries are better equipped to prevent, report and respond to public health risks that could cross borders and threaten people worldwide.
WHO's leadership in convening last week's meeting on One Health aligns with its commitment to improve the region's ability to avoid and manage public health emergencies, as laid out in the game-changing Transformation Agenda launched by the African Region last year.
Distributed by African Media Agency on behalf of WHO AFRO.
For additional information or to request interviews, please contact:
Ebba Kalondo,
kalondoe@who.int
Anne Marie Copek,
acopek@globalhealthstrategies.com
The post African leaders pledge to improve emergency preparedness and response at West African Regional Conference on One Health appeared first on African Media Agency.
Source:: http://amediaagency.com/african-leaders-pledge-to-improve-emergency-preparedness-and-response-at-west-african-regional-conference-on-one-health/

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Colorado 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 5 1
W: K. Freeland (5-7) L: A. Ashby (2-8) S: D. Bard (21)
5:10 PM PT6:10 PM MT7:10 PM CT8:10 PM ET20:10 ET0:10 GMT8:10 5:10 PM MST7:10 PM EST7:40 PM VEN4:10 UAE (+1)6:10 PM CT, July 25, 2022
C. Blackmon, DH 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .275 .325 .473
Y. Daza, LF-CF 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 .295 .347 .354
C. Cron, 1B 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .290 .346 .541
B. Rodgers, 2B 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .261 .311 .415
J. Iglesias, SS 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300 .339 .397
S. Hilliard, LF 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 .178 .255 .279
R. Grichuk, RF 4 0 1 0 2 0 1 .248 .292 .395
R. McMahon, 3B 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .236 .329 .366
E. Díaz, C 3 1 1 1 4 0 2 .242 .297 .393
G. Hampson, CF-SS 3 1 2 0 3 0 1 .252 .331 .395
C. Yelich, LF 4 0 1 0 1 0 2 .250 .347 .381
W. Adames, SS 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .218 .291 .469
A. McCutchen, DH 4 0 1 0 1 0 1 .255 .319 .394
R. Tellez, PH 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .230 .308 .453
J. Davis, PR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .233 .352 .250
L. Urías, 3B 4 0 1 0 1 0 2 .225 .317 .381
T. Taylor, CF 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 .227 .273 .424
P. Severino, C 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 .250 .368 .375
2B: Col 2, R. Grichuk (16), G. Hampson (5).
HR: Col 1, E. Díaz (6).
HR Detail: Col, E. Díaz (Inning: 3 , 0 Out, 0 on) off A. Ashby.
Scoring Position: Col - 0 for 5.Mil - 0 for 3.
SF: Col 1, Y. Daza (1). Mil 0,
K. Freeland, (W 5-7) 7.0 4 0 0 1 7 0 24 99 41 - 58 4.64 .273
L. Gilbreath, (Hld 8) 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 14 4 - 10 3.18 .231
D. Bard, (S 21) 1.0 1 0 0 1 0 0 6 20 8 - 12 1.91 .149
A. Ashby, (L 2-8) 7.0 5 2 2 1 9 1 27 111 30 - 81 4.38 .255
J. McGee 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 16 4 - 12 6.56 .284
B. Suter 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 14 8 - 6 4.12 .241
Errors: Col 1, B. Rodgers (8).
Double Plays: Col 1, (Rodgers to Hampson to Cron).
Stolen Bases: Col 1, G. Hampson (6).
Caught Stealing: Mil 1, L. Urías (2).
Hit by Pitch: Col, S. Hilliard by B. Suter.
Umpires: HP--Gibson, 1B--Diaz, 2B--O'Nora, 3B--Mahrley.


Shoot the can and make it fly! The longest it fly, the better it is!
Try to complete the 12 achievements!
Can you be the best Gunslinger from the West?
Challenge your friends and share your best score on FaceBook and Twiter.
I found myself kind of bored with Boring Day. However, it's nice to see people using my musical work for their Flash creations. Also, it felt like the gunshots lagged a bit. Although I could see this game being kind of addicting for some people, but not me.
Not bad, but improvement is needed. Thanks for using my song, and keep at it!
yes, its BORING BEYOND ALL KNOWN REASON! but this could be a fun game if MORE EFFORT was put into it. I suggest different locations, some stuff moving in the backround, more guns (GAME LIES!) and maybe something else to shoot. the only reason you got a 5 instead of the much needed 1, the Music, it is the shizzle!
PS. try to imagin StrongBad's voice, it would make this review sound a whole lot cooler....like ROBOT BOOTS!
The thing that saves this game is the fact that there is a point to the game - to complete the 12 achievements. To be honest, I gave up after 4 achievements.
Fight Back against the Zombie Apocalypse!


New Delhi: Either by design or coincidence, 17 November will hold a dual significance in contemporary Tibetan history. In 1950, on this date, Tenzin Gyatso was officially enthroned as the full temporal leader of Tibet, a 15-year-old charged with the responsibility of facing down a bellicose China.
On Monday, exactly 58 years later, the Tibetan community will meet in Dharamsala to, some say, contemplate a future without the leadership of Gyatso, better known as the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama himself summoned this special meeting, under Article 59 of the Tibetan charter, after he publicly stated that he is despaired of the Tibetan demand for autonomy that he has himself championed.
"Very clearly, His Holiness has said: 'My approach is not working'," says Youdon Aukatsang, a member of the Tibetan government-in-exile. "Many would still want to believe in his approach, but some differ. Some think that the time to change this Middle Way approach is at hand."
Changing that approach could involve a new, official demand for outright independence from China, instead of just autonomy. Particularly among the youth, the concept of a struggle for total independence has caught fire.
Earlier this year, as protests in Tibet turned violent and as protesters disrupted the passage of the Olympic torch to Beijing, the Dalai Lama had expressed his disapproval at the turn of events. Mint had reported, at the time, that student movements and the Tibetan Youth Congress had questioned the wisdom of a peaceful agitation in the face of Chinese violence.
But it would be a mistake to think of the youth as a monolithic entity, warns Chenga Tsering, a career development adviser for Tibetan youngsters in New Delhi. "I meet many youngsters who support the Middle Way, and of course the members of the Tibetan Youth Congress support independence," Tsering says. "Most of the articles on Tibetan web sites are in favour of complete independence as well."
Tsering points out that the Dalai Lama views the Dharamsala meeting as a barometer of Tibetan public opinion. "He wanted to get a sense of where the public is," Tsering says. "He has always said that the Tibetan issue is not the Dalai Lama's issue but the people's issue."
In a statement, the Dalai Lama said: "This special meeting is being convened with the express purpose of providing a forum to understand the real opinions and views of the Tibetan people... It must be clear to all that this special meeting does not have any agenda for reaching a particular predetermined outcome."
Some foresee that, in the near future, the Dalai Lama wishes to move into a sort of semi-retirement, away from the political leadership of Tibet. "I think he would walk away if he could, but the people won't let him," Aukatsang says. "We don't have another visionary leader like him. Nobody can fill that vacuum."
So long has the Dalai Lama combined the political leadership of Tibet with his religious leadership that the two roles have now grown indistinguishable. "Even if he walks away from the political leadership, nobody can take away his status as a religious leader," says Geshe Lhakdor, for many years the Dalai Lama's translator and now the director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala.
Clearly, though, Tibetans have begun to think about the Dalai Lama's successor. Last week, Lobsang Sangay, a senior fellow at Harvard Law School and a Tibetan, published an essay in which he called for the Dalai Lama to break from the traditional method of appointment to the title and nominate a young successor right away.
Tibetan tradition holds that the Dalai Lama reincarnates himself upon his passing, to be found through a meticulous search. "However, being born…is only a process: what is crucial is the capacity of incarnate lamas to transfer their soul/consciousness through the womb," Dr Sangay wrote. "[T]he same spiritual mystical capacity could be utilized to transfer the soul/consciousness to an adult of the lama's own choosing."
"His Holiness is very liberal, and he has said that he would be interested in an appointment style of succession," says Aukatsang. Perhaps to allow for discussion of such matters, the Dalai Lama himself will not attend the meeting at Dharamsala. "He thinks his presence will act as a pressure and overwhelm people," Aukatsang says.
Has the Dalai Lama's statement of having "given up" dampened morale in the Tibetan community? "It has dampened morale a little," admits Aukatsang. "But then, we've always had hope as our strongest weapon."


In three weeks Seattle Public Schools will give middle and high school students an extra hour of sleep — every night!
Seattle is the largest urban district in the US to switch to later start times for adolescents, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With Washington schools notoriously underfunded, why did the Seattle School Board decide to take on this complex and time consuming change?
We did so because the research strongly shows that adequate sleep improves cognitive and athletic performance while also boosting mental and physical health. With inadequate funding we need to ensure that we get the biggest bang for our education bucks. What else gives all of those benefits?
At no point was the School Board unanimously in support of this initiative. Some of us thought it would be a simple switch of elementary and secondary school start times. We've discovered that it isn't simple, but it's very doable.
Local parents, teachers, pediatricians and sleep experts formed an organization and used solid research findings to gain public support. They repeatedly showed up at School Board meetings and met with Board Directors, convincing a majority of us that we should seriously consider this.
After much deliberation the Board voted in favor of a resolution giving the Superintendent six months to "determine feasibility, costs and logistics of shifting to later start times for adolescents. This includes analysis and well informed public engagement." With extensive information coming out of that process we voted to move forward with the change, giving the Superintendent and staff a year to work through the logistical issues. That work is continuing right up to the last minute.
Sports schedules have probably been the most controversial. Adjusting game times may be the greatest challenge for many districts. Seattle was already transitioning to its own inner city league, which made it easier. Only a few sports compete with districts outside of Seattle. Two of our high schools had already moved to later start and had made adjustments so that students leaving for games miss less academic class time. One solution is an advisory period at the end of the school day. A solution for districts that must compete with other districts is to coordinate a regional shift to later start times. Several districts around Seattle are making the change, and there could be a domino effect as we see the benefits.
Later sports practices call for lighting on all fields. We still have several needing this upgrade and are looking for the funds to do that. We are also in the throes of coordinating field use with community and adult leagues that will be impacted by later school practice times.
Transportation changes were complicated, but may not be for other districts. Seattle schools had transitioned to a three tier transportation schedule in the interest of saving money. Most elementary schools were in the third or latest tier. Most high schools were in the first. The mandate from the School Board was that transportation changes had to be cost neutral. District staff did an enormous amount of work to move high schools and middle schools into the second tier, and all other schools to the tier they preferred. When school starts in three weeks most high school and middle schools will start at 8:45. Most elementary schools will start at 7:55. Some K-8s and a few elementary schools will start at 9:35. Nine out of 98 schools are not in a preferred tier but the District continues to look for ways to satisfy them.
Another challenge is child care for elementary students who now finish school much earlier. However prior to the switch many of these same students had very late start times and required child care before and after school. Seattle Public Schools is working with providers, the City and community partners to address this need.
The entire city of Seattle is in on this. Community non-profits, the Parks Department, Seattle Housing Authority, the Department of Transportation and others have helped to address the logistical needs to make this possible for our students. Children's Hospital has launched a publicity campaign on the importance of adequate sleep. Seattle Times just ran a story on recent research that suggests that later start times may be of particular benefit for adolescent males.
The study uses wrist activity monitors to measure sleep-wake patterns. The grades of each student will be used to determine whether or not later start times boost their academic performance.
So far there has been no major pushback in spite of changes to schedules that impact most families in Seattle. With an entire city rallying to make this possible it should be clear to other school districts that they will gain enormous support when they decide to change to later start times and give sleep a chance.


text:
Lucien Daubrée (nom de naissance : Louis Alfred Lucien Daubrée), né le  à Nancy et mort le , est un ingénieur forestier français, qui a été directeur général des Eaux et Forêts et est l'auteur d'un travail statistique important (premier inventaire forestier national).

Biographie
Lucien Daubrée, né en 1844 à Nancy dans une famille de négociants, étudie au lycée Henri-Poincaré. En 1865, alors âgé de 21 ans, il est admis à l'École nationale des eaux et forêts et en sort en 1868.

Il exerce pendant 16 ans en Meurthe-et-Moselle avant d'être affecté à l'administration centrale.

Gradé militaire, il est mobilisé pour la guerre de 1870 ; la France perd alors l'Alsace et la Lorraine, régions riches en forêts.

De retour sur le terrain, il franchit différents échelons hiérarchiques pour être nommé en 1886 à l'administration centrale,

On lui confie une mission en Tunisie qui lui donne la possibilité de prendre des initiatives : connaître les forêts locales, établir un service forestier, restaurer les peuplements, remédier à l'érosion

On lui confie la direction du personnel en 1887, et l'intérim de la direction des forêts à la suite de la mise en retraite d'Henri Gabé (1816-1914) en octobre 1887 puis en janvier 1888 il devient directeur de l'administration des forêts. La même année, l'École forestière de Nancy devient une école d'application de l'Institut agronomique de Paris, ce que Lucien Daubrée doit faire accepter, difficilement au personnel enseignant.

C'est lui qui fait en sorte, en 1898, que l'Administration des forêts puisse retrouver le nom que Colbert lui avait initialement donné : Direction des Eaux et Forêts.

En 1911, juste avant sa retraite, il devient le premier directeur général des eaux et forêts du fait du rapprochement des services hydrauliques et sylvicoles. Léon Dabat (1859-1931) lui succède à la tête de l'administration des Eaux et Forêts en octobre 1911, jusqu'en juillet 1921.

Il a aussi été membre de l'Académie d'agriculture de France et reçoit le titre de directeur général honoraire des Eaux et Forêts à sa mise à la retraite.

Il s'éteint le , âgé de 77 ans.

Son œuvre
Il est notamment connu pour avoir créé :
 la xylothèque de l'École forestière de Nancy
 l'arboretum d'Amance (en 1900)
 le premier inventaire forestier national dit « Enquête Daubrée », publié en 1912 (statistiques de 1908).
Cet inventaire, en complément des cartes d'État-Major est encore utilisé par les historiens de la forêt, les géographes ou les écologues et forestiers intéressés par l'évolution des milieux boisés et forestiers afin notamment de mieux comprendre le passé récent de la forêt française, et notamment pour mieux préparer son avenir.

Distinctions
 Commandeur de la Légion d'honneur ()

Notes et références

Voir aussi

Articles connexes
 Inventaire naturaliste
 Forêt française
 Écologie rétrospective
 Écopotentialité
 Histoire du service forestier public en France

Liens externes

 Portail de l'IGN

Ingénieur français
Ingénieur forestier
Haut fonctionnaire français
Élève du lycée Henri-Poincaré
Membre de l'Académie d'agriculture (France)
Commandeur de la Légion d'honneur
Naissance en mai 1844
Naissance à Nancy
Décès en décembre 1921
Décès à 77 ans

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Tradeoffs and Options for Savings
As with any government agency, the Pentagon budget offers countless opportunities for reform. In a time of limited resources and critical national security needs, identifying waste is even more important. The following list aims to be a comprehensive collection of available options for doing just that.
Hide Full List
Category & Summary
Rethink the Buy American Act and the "Berry Amendment" Recently Updated
$1 billion+ —
Prioritize cost savings over domestic production mandates
The "Buy American Act" and subsequent Berry Amendment placed a series of restrictions on government purchasing. Reevaluating these restrictions based on national security needs could offer an opportunity to save billions.
Protectionism in U.S. Defense Spending
Do Not Refuel the USS Harry S. Truman Recently Updated
$16.9 million-$5.5 billion —
Do not refuel the USS Harry S. Truman
Sidelined since August 2019 thanks to a major electrical malfunction, the USS Harry S. Truman was slated for early retirement in the Pentagon's FY2020 budget request. Under this plan, the carrier would not be refueled and instead would be used until its nuclear fuel is spent, which could save up to $5.5 billion -- although recent reports suggest immediate savings would be roughly $17 million.
White House's Navy Priorities Outlined in Budget Summary
Pentagon Plan to Sideline Carrier Truman Will Net Just $17M in FY 2020
Escorts Deploy Without USS Harry S. Truman as East Coast Carrier Shortage Persists
Limit Future Acquisitions of the Littoral Combat Ship
$1 billion+ US Navy: RFI: FFG(X) - US Navy Guided Missile Frigate Replacement Program
Limit future LCS development & acquisition
In July 2017, after years of cost overruns and mechanical failures, the US Navy quietly released formal requirements for a new frigate design under the Guided Missile Frigate Replacement Program or FFG(X), with the US Naval Institute describing the project as similar to the LCS. Ahead of FY2019, Congress made the controversial decision to award three more LCS than the Navy had requested, while cutting money from other priorities. At a bare minimum, Congress can save money by not approving more ships than the Pentagon requests in future years.
Task and Purpose: Did The Navy Just Admit The Littoral Combat Ship Is A Failure?
Improve the management and operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
The DoD should evaluate whether one agency would be more effective at improving the management and operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Future UAS programs will likely become more popular, so it is important that these evaluations are made in order to avoid duplication, and sooner rather than later.
GAO Duplication & Cost Savings Report
Complete DoD acquisition strategy for Tactical Wheeled Vehicles
Reduce the DOD's cost risks in purchasing and maintaining Tactical Wheeled Vehicles
By completing its planned tactical wheeled vehicle strategy, the Department of Defense can determine capabilities for the Joint Tactical Vehicle as well as analyzing various costs and conducting a cost-benefit analysis to avoid duplication or overlap. At the end of 2017, GAO reported that it had taken sufficient actions to satisfy this goal.
GAO: Duplication & Cost Savings Report
Status of Actions Taken to Reduce Duplication, Overlap, and Fragmentation, Save Tax Dollars, and Enhance Revenue
Minimize the risk of future duplication within ground radar and guided munitions systems
Minimize the risk of future duplication within ground radar and guided munitions weapons systems
The Joint Staff can be directed to assign all new ground radar capability requirement documents with a Joint Staff designation of "JROC Interest." All ground radar programs would be examined for possible duplication with other agencies within the DoD. The Office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) would then be given the opportunity to analyze alternative plans.
Reduce duplicative investments in weapon system acquisitions Recently Updated
Reduce duplicative investments for weapon system acquisitions
Responsibility should be given to the appropriate authority to provide assistance in portfolio management efforts for weapon system acquisitions. The DoD can more effectively use portfolio management to ensure that the funds spent on acquisitions for weapons systems are related to strategic goals. Doing so could help ensure the $100 billion+ spent on weapons acquisitions does not go to waste due to overlap or duplication.
GAO reports that as of 2018, the DoD has taken some actions to improve its processes since the problem was first identified in 2011. However, work remains to ensure cost overruns and delays are avoided.
Seek to integrate commercial, off-the-shelf technology
When possible, integrating consumer technology can save money and reduce training time
In 2017, the Navy began the process of installing new controllers on Virginia-class submarines -- for all intents and purposes, Xbox controllers. The controller was not only intuitively easier for sailors to learn, it also was significantly cheaper -- to the tune of roughly $30 per panel as opposed to $38,000. Seeking further, similar integration can help save costs and reduce training time for servicemembers who grew up using similar technology.
Navy's Most Advanced Subs Will Soon Use Xbox Controllers
Cap experimental fuel procurement
$9 billion over 10 years —
Some Pentagon officials have suggested that the use of experimental fuels, such as algae and used cooking grease, is a national security interest because of the risk inherent in foreign fuel markets. However, in recent years, costs have been several times more than average fuel prices, and there is no guarantee that current investments will be successful. Past efforts in the private sector to find reliable fuel sources from algae, for instance, were canceled after hundreds of millions in investment. Establishing stricter guidelines or curtailing such investments could save billions.
Rep Coffman (R-CO): There are smarter ways to cut defense spending
LA Times: As Pentagon invests in green fuel, critics focus on the cost
Reduce funding for the Pentagon's "Other Procurement"
$52 billion over 10 years —
"Other Procurement" covers non-major equipment replacement. With deployments scaling back, it may be useful to better prioritize procurement decisions, placing emphasis on the major equipment that is vital to protecting the country first.
Rep. Coffman (R-CO): There are smarter ways to cut defense spending
Identify cost-cutting opportunities for the new Air Force One
$1 million+ —
Identify cost-cutting measure for the new Air Force One
The new Air Force One design is projected to cost at least $600 million, a number that President Trump himself has criticized in the past. While Air Force One is no average aircraft by any means, lawmakers should look to identify any waste and cut unnecessary costs.
In 2019, the Pentagon provided its first public accounting of the total costs of the new Air Force One, which totaled $5.3 billion. Pentagon officials suggested accounts for total costs of building a hangar complex as well as other administrative, engineering, and development work. The Trump Administration has long stated its desire to bring costs down as low as possible, and should pursue all available options moving forward.
Defense News: Boeing lands $600M contract to design new Air Force Ones
Target future cost overruns on the USS Gerald R Ford
Target future cost overruns on developing the USS Gerald R Ford
The USS Gerald R Ford entered the Navy fleet in 2017 about three years behind schedule and nearly $3 billion over budget. President Trump has joined budget watchdogs in criticizing the Navy's cost overruns that have come as a decision to bet on technology that is not fully developed. In future development and modernization, appropriators should beware of funding technology that is not fully developed and look to avoid any cost overruns.
CNBC: The Navy's put down a 'significant bet' on the $13 billion USS Gerald R Ford, which some say is a risky gamble
Enforce existing acquisition policy and identify opportunities to centralize procurement of commercial satellite communications
$10 million+ annually —
Enforce existing acquisition policy and identify opportunities to centralize the Department of Defense's procurement of commercial satellite communications
The Department of Defense should adhere to its policy that all commercial satellite communications are to be procured by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). If it does not follow its stated strategy and do so, the department remains at risk of higher costs and inefficiencies from contracting for commercial services.
GAO: DOD Commercial Satellite Communications Procurements
Defer development of the B-21 bomber
As the Air Force prepares to modernize other fleet aircraft, the DoD could save money and potentially help future development by deferring the development for the next decade, after which newer technologies may already be developed and modernization of other aircraft is complete.
CBO: Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017 to 2026 (pg. 89)
Build only one type of nuclear weapon for bombers
$6 billion or $8 billion over 10 years —
Currently, the Air Force has two separate types of long-range bombers that can both carry nuclear weapons and conduct conventional missions. As the United States approaches the modernization of all its nuclear forces, the timing is appropriate to consider phasing out one or the other, with the ability to save $6 to $8 billion within the decade.
Reduce the size of the nuclear triad
$9-$13 billion over 10 years —
The 2013 Nuclear Weapons Employment Strategy of the United States stated that the U.S. could still preserve a "strong and credible" nuclear strategy with about one-third of the weapons currently allowed under New START treaty. CBO has identified several options for phasing out or limiting the total number of weapons while maintaining the United States' strategic position.
Limit funding for naval ship construction to historical levels
The Navy's current shipbuilding plan calls for a budget roughly 18 percent higher than historical averages over the last 30 years. If the Navy were to cap the budget to this historical average, the number of ballistic missile submarines and aircraft carriers would remain unchanged, while the number of new ships would be cut by a small amount compared to the alternative. In the short term, the Navy would still have an extremely powerful fleet of ships, and could adjust plans according to emerging threats if needed.
Phase out Ford class aircraft carriers
This plan would not impact the current class of aircraft carriers, since ships are scheduled to operate for 50 years, and the size of the fleet would not immediately be shrunk. Eventually, the size would decrease when some of the ships stop being used, but if they are deemed necessary because of national security interests, the building process can be resumed.
Prioritize purchasing F-16s and F/A-18 aircraft instead of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters
$23 billion over 10 years 2014 NDAA Amendment by then-Rep. Duckworth
The problems with the F-35 program are well-known, and there are various options both for controlling costs currently and for moving forward. One option would decrease the cost of replacing DoD's older fighter aircraft while still providing new F-16s and F/A-18s by canceling future purchases. The previously purchased F-35's could still be utilized, but the scheduled purchase of F-35s in later years could be frozen until the development of the aircrafts are improved and made more cost-effective. Even if Congress is not willing to adopt this extensive a proposal, lawmakers should look for any options to control costs and ensure future acquisitions are need-based.
The F-35 is notoriously behind schedule and over budget, and according to a recent report, the Navy's version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has received "unacceptably low" evaluations of its combat readiness. Lawmakers can save money by pursuing options for scaling back acquisitions until the aircraft is ready and needed for current conflicts.
Include additional overseas basing in the Navy
Between $10 and $12 billion annually —
Basing ships overseas puts them closer to conflict zones in the case that they are needed, which could allow for sustaining readiness and allow the shipbuilding budget and fleet to be limited. There are potential downsides, including the costs and logistical concerns involved with basing ships in foreign nations.
CBO: Preserving the Navy's Forward Presence With a Smaller Fleet
Implement longer deployments for the Navy
$11-$17 billion annually —
Longer deployments for ships would be less expensive than buying more ships every year. When possible, increasing the time of use for each ship would allow the mission to be maintained even if costs or fleet size were to be cut.
Adopt "sea swap" policies for ships
$100 billion over 10 years —
Crew Rotation, or sea swaps, extend individual ship deployments from six months to nearly a year or longer while holding individual crew deployments to the normal six months. Flying relief crews out to ships instead of having them return to home ports to change crews can result in significant cost savings without unnecessary strain on enlisted servicemembers.
Do not charge taxpayers for shipbuilder mistakes Recently Updated
Improve the use of warranties and guarantees in shipbuilding
The DoD should direct the Navy ensure that contracts specify that when a shipbuilder has made a mistake, taxpayers are not responsible for fixing the damaged product.
In 2018, the Navy finalized new guidance preventing shipbuilders from earning profits for correcting errors the shipbuilder itself had made, under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy.
Improve the management and oversight of virtual training programs
Developing guidance for the use of virtual training will help the DoD determine the time and resources needed to achieve proper training with the devices. Specifically, the Army should direct training developers to document the time available to train with devices as well as intended usage rates. The Pentagon has taken some steps to address GAO recommendations but does not plan to fully implement them until 2021.
Pentagon Restructuring
Enhance Oversight of DARPA Grantmaking Recently Updated
Unknown —
Enhance Oversight of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Grantmaking
In 2010, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) funded an event that matched "rock, paper, scissors" players against robots who had been programmed to cheat. Reevaluating future such grants could ensure research funds do not go to wasteful or irrelevant projects.
Senator Joni Ernst, May 2019 Squeal Award: the Pentagon
Enhance oversight of Department of Defense Grantmaking Recently Updated
Enhance oversight of Department of Defense Grantmaking
In 2017, the Department of Defense granted $3.9 million for a study examining how distracting junk food was as compared to healthy foods such as carrots and kale. As Senator Joni Ernst noted in her "squeal report," it's questionable whether Defense dollars needed to be spent on such a topic, and evaluating future studies could save millions.
Enhance oversight of Air Force Grantmaking Recently Updated
> $1 million annually —
Enhance oversight of Air Force Grantmaking
In 2004, the United States Air Force paid paid $25,000 to "study the physics of teleportation" and released a report suggesting spending $7.5 million to conduct future experiments. While the future of teleportation remains unclear, it is clear that future safeguards could help save millions of dollars before they are spent in the future.
Enhance oversight of Office of Naval Research Grantmaking Recently Updated
Enhance oversight of Office of Naval Research Grantmaking
In 2017, the Office of Naval Research granted $209,000 to a study examining the sociability of dogs. In 2014, the ONR began a study that would cost $3.85 million to study whether "Spidey Sense," or a "sixth sense" that can warn of danger, existed and could be identified and honed. As highlighted by Senator Joni Ernst, herself a combat veteran, such spending can direct resources away from critical troop needs, and strengthening oversight and reform could save millions.
Improve Budgeting for and Managing Foreign Currency Fluctuations Recently Updated
Hundreds of millions —
Improve the processes used to budget for and manage foreign currency fluctuations
In 2018, GAO recommended four separate options for the Pentagon to find the most cost-effective foreign currency rates when paying for goods and services overseas. DOD "generally concurred" with the recommendations but has yet to take action.
Improve the Management of Foreign Currency Funds
End "Spend It Or Lose It"
$7 billion+ annually S.1378 - Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act of 2016 (Sen. Paul, R-KY)
Stop punishing personnel for saving money
Ostensibly to save unnecessary funds, agencies are required to return unused funds at the end of the year, which can encourage waste and spending sprees at the end of the fiscal year. In recent years, GAO has estimated that "carryover" funds across the government were over $2 trillion across agencies, with several DoD agencies having balances of roughly $7 billion on average per year from 2007-2012. Various options exist for ensuring agencies are not penalized for finding cost savings, including a plan introduced in the Senate in 2016 that would send unused funds to Treasury to pay down deficits while awarding bonuses to employees who find savings. Further action is necessary to ensure full savings are achieved.
Daily Caller: "Bipartisan Bill Discouraging 'Use It Or Lose It' Gov't Spending Moves Through Senate"
GAO: Key Questions to Consider When Evaluating Balances in Federal Accounts
S.1378 - Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act of 2016
H.R.378 - Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act of 2017
How The Federal Government Spent $97 Billion In One Month
Minimize overlapping and duplicative efforts when accounting for missing persons Recently Updated
Minimize overlapping and duplicative efforts when accounting for missing persons
There are eight organizations that play significant roles in recovering missing persons. These organizations should work together to minimize duplicative efforts and ensure they are using all their resources adequately.
In fall 2018, GAO reported that some progress had been made in dividing up responsibilities for accounting for missing persons, but that more work remained.
Efficiently manage commissaries Recently Updated
Efficiently manage commissaries
Developing a plan for finding and implementing various reductions to appropriations will support DOD's efforts to ensure the $2 billion cost savings target is attainable. DOD reported in November 2o18 that it had finalized such a plan but did not provide it to GAO, leaving remaining questions over whether its ultimate cost savings target is accurate and feasible.
Establish formal mechanisms for coordination with NOAA Recently Updated
Establish formal mechanisms for coordination with the NOAA
The DoD can work to reduce the risks of gaps in weather satellite capabilities by working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and establishing principles that help with their constant coordination. This process could eliminate overlapping duties as well as missed opportunities.
DOD has formalized this coordination.
Optimize business operations and systems
By implementing policies for managing and overseeing major automated information system (MAIS) business programs to adhere to leading information technology (IT) management practices, DOD can avoid duplication and waste. GAO reports it has begun to do so.
Adherence to Best Practices Is Needed to Better Manage and Oversee Business Programs
Improve information sharing across advertising programs Recently Updated
Improve information sharing across advertising programs
Developing a more straightforward process for sharing marketing and advertising material across the different military branches would help rid the DOD of overlapping work.
At the end of 2018, GAO reported DOD had "made considerable progress in developing a formal process for coordination regarding DOD's advertising program," but more work remained.
Require better energy efficiency for DoD buildings
$1 billion per year —
Require DOD buildings to have the same energy-efficiency as other federal agencies and the commercial sector
By metering energy consumption and focusing on energy investments that lower cost, the DoD can drastically improve on the price it pays for energy. Of the ten federal agencies that consume the most energy, the DoD has performed the worst at lowering its energy use per square foot, or Energy Use Intensity (EUI), signaling the ability for potential savings. DoD could be required to match private sector and other agency standards.
Pew Charitable Trusts: Power Begins at Home: Assured Energy for U.S. Military Bases (pg. 28)
Better Track DoD federal research and development programs Recently Updated
Determine the value of DoD federal research and development programs
The US government provides research and development funds for a broad range of activities, but R&D funding is typically included along with other funding, making it impossible to tell how much specific R&D funds are being provided until after the fact. By more specifically classifying these funds, DoD can examine whether projects are important for the mission. While not specifically related, in 2019, Senator Joni Ernst introduced the "COST" Act, which would stipulate that "every project supported with federal funds [to] include a price tag with its cost to taxpayers," and such steps could help address this problem.
Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2013
Evaluate Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)
Evaluate the effectiveness of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)
Funding for Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) has grown exponentially over the years. The DoD could save money by evaluating which of these are important to national defense and which can be reduced or shifted to other areas of government.
CDMRP Funding History
Defund global health related activities
$579.7 million —
In order to consolidate duties and resources, the DoD could step back from administering global health funding to focus on defense and national security, while leaving health initiatives up to other departments that are focused on those issues. In 2017, President Trump's budget request suggested as much, but there has not been progress on the issue.
U.S. Global Health Policy: The U.S. Department of Defense and Global Health (pg. 30)
NPR: Trump's Proposed Budget Would Cut $2.2 Billion From Global Health Spending
Require annual reductions on programs and activities not advantageous to military capability
Require annual reductions in DoD spending on programs and activities not advantageous to military capability
Creating a long-term plan that analyzes which programs are not fulfilling their duties could help find the cuts that are needed to sustain an effective national defense. By being required to examine each program every year, the DoD will have a better idea of what policies and departments are working well and which ones may need to be tweaked.
Reduce the size of the force
Reduce the size of the military
If possible, lowering the number of troops could be spread across all branches of the military and be based on mission needs. The shrinking of size could satisfy the caps of the Budget Control Act and wouldn't require other adjustments.
Audit the Pentagon
H.R.3079 - Audit the Pentagon Act of 2017 (53 sponsors)
In 2018, the Pentagon failed its first-ever audit, but establishing a regular audit schedule is an important step toward good governance and discovering ways in which DOD can save.
Washington Post: The Defense Business Board's 2015 study on how the Pentagon could save $125 billion
Modernize and streamline military branches
The US currently maintains what could be considered duplicate forces: two armies (i.e., Army and Marine Corps.) and four air forces (the Air Force, Marine Corps aviation, Naval Air Forces, and the CIA's fleet of aircraft and drones). Some have suggested streamlining duties and even branches themselves in order to make the fighting force more efficient and modernized.
The American Conservative: 16 Ways to Cut Defense Spending
VA Services and Retirement
Reform VA Acquisition Management Recently Updated
Reform VA Acquisition Management
The VA has historically used procurement policies that were "outdated, disjointed, and difficult for contracting officers to use." Over time the VA has also lacked adequate data systems, relying on flawed data to identify necessary medical and surgical items, for instance. While exact cost savings are difficult to calculate, VA has obligated nearly $4 billion to one program that did not receive proper oversight.
VA Acquisition Management
Reform Social Security payouts
$37-45 million H.R.6489 - Social Security Reform Act of 2016 (Rep. Johnson, R-TX)
Improve oversight on Social Security payments
The Veterans Administration has paid out billions in benefits to deceased veterans. Improving system oversight so that mistakes like this do not happen is extremely necessary, and could save between $37 and 45 million (based on just one sample). However, as of April 2019, GAO has VA health care and federal IT acquisitions on its High Risk List, as the VA lacks IT systems to support critical processes and does not implement related federal law, making oversight difficult.
Free Beacon: Feds Paid Dead Veterans $37 Million
Better Manage Chronic Diseases
$5.8 million over two years —
Improve Patient Health with Better Chronic Disease Management
Long-term savings could be achieved by implementing certain programs to address chronic disease. For instance, helping patients educate and monitor their own conditions can help prevent worse breakouts in the future and slow down the costs. Coordinating care between different providers could also improve patients' short and long-term health.
CBO: Approaches to Reducing Federal Spending on Military Health Care (pg. 22)
Reform the VA mailing system
The outdated systems that the VA uses increase the likelihood of human error and potentially driven up costs. The VA reported spending about $355 million on 200 million pieces of mail in 2016. Unlike many other industries that are becoming more efficient as technology develops, the VA is using old systems and has different reporting requirements across the country, making mail recording difficult to standardize.
Stars and Stripes: Lawmakers: 'Unreliable' VA mail data a symptom of larger issues
Award unemployability benefits only to those who are of working age
$39.6 billion over 10 years —
VA individual unemployability payments are a supplemental benefit made available if a veteran cannot maintain substantial employment because of a service-related disability, not age or other factors. These supplemental benefits could be made only to veterans who are of working age, while veterans who are between the ages of 65 and 67, depending on the year they were born, could collect from other sources of benefits.
Reform Tricare for Life
Up to $7 billion —
Tricare costs the Pentagon over $50 billion per year providing almost free healthcare to all military retirees and their families for life, and costs are expected to climb up to $65 billion annually. Minor adjustments to fee scales for these services would help to slow the cost explosion that the VA is expected to have in the next decade. Recent proposals, for instance, have suggested raising costs by $2.50 per month for individuals or $5 a month for families. While the plan overall remains contentious, there has been consensus among veterans' advocates to tie future increases to the rate of inflation – and an understanding from Pentagon leadership that the current path and balance sheets are unsustainable.
Washington Post: Tricare target of Pentagon cuts as health care projected to reach $65B
Washington Post: Gates defends health-care fee increase for retirees
NY Times: Joint Chiefs Support Rise in Healthcare Fees for Military Retirees
Adjust eligibility for veterans' disability compensation
Narrow eligibility for veterans' disability compensation
The GAO has identified a list of medical conditions that are likely not caused or aggravated by military service. CBO estimates that in 2015, VA paid 716,000 veterans a total of $3.7 billion to compensate for seven of these medical conditions. Most civilian employers do not cover employees for all medical problems that may have emerged during employment, and reducing or restricting disability compensation to those veterans whose injuries and conditions are related to service could save billions while still compensating those with service-related disabilities.
Consolidate retirement and disability compensations
Consolidate retirement and disability compensations programs
Until 2003, it was not possible for retirees to receive both full retirement benefits and disability compensation; instead, they had to choose between DOD retirement annuity or VA disability benefits.
However, two classes of retirees -- those with combat-related disabilities and those who retire with at least 20 years of military service and receive a VA disability rating of at least 50 percent -- have since been receiving combat-related special compensation (CRSC) or concurrent retirement and disability pay (CRDP), respectively. These payments make up for the difference in the VA offset.
Ending these payments would more accurately reflect the intent of the original legislation while avoiding duplicative payments and saving billions.
Improve oversight of the DoD's prepositioning programs
Improve oversight of the DoD's preposition programs for equipment and supplies
Clarifying lines of authority and simplifying reporting between various components of the DOD for joint oversight of its prepositioned stocks could reduce unnecessary duplication.
DOD has taken some steps, but GAO reports more work to be done.
GAO: Improved Joint Oversight and Reporting on DOD's Prepositioning Programs May Increase Efficiencies
Reassess Compensation Effectiveness
Address in a larger strategy what types of compensation are effective
The Department of Defense is best suited to manage how effective the compensation strategy is to retaining and recruiting new personnel and may be able to modernize how compensation is paid out, saving money while still recruiting and keeping the personnel. The DOD could look toward getting rid of compensation scales that do not meet these goals.
GAO: Military Personnel Costs
Evaluate effectiveness of special and incentive pay programs
Incorporate key principles of effective human capital management in special and incentive pay programs
Implementing human capital management will determine the full effectiveness of the incentives and special pay programs. Evaluating these principles will ensure whether the programs may need to be changed in the future.
Monitor living quarters allowance (LQA) eligibility determinations
The Secretary of Defense could direct monitoring reviews of living quarters allowance (LQA) eligibility determinations. This could potentially equal cost savings by preventing improper allocation of the over $500 million spent annually on LQA for civilian employees.
At the end of 2018, DOD had taken steps to improve oversight of LQA determinations but had not issued guidance requiring the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Civilian Personnel Policy (DCPAS) to monitor LQA eligibility reviews, GAO reported.
Reevaluate DoD's current headquarters-reductions efforts and assess workforce requirements
$100 million+ —
Reevaluate DoD's current headquarters-reductions efforts and conduct various reassessments of workforce requirements
The Department of Defense could re-evaluate its ongoing efforts at headquarters-reductions and re-examine the decision to focus reductions on management headquarters, as well as conduct periodic reassessments of workforce requirements. This could potentially achieve cost savings and ensure headquarters are properly sized to meet mission and Congressional requirements.
GAO reports that DOD has done so.
Tie increases in basic pay to the rate of general inflation
$45 billion through 2021 —
Index increases in basic pay to the rate of general inflation
Ensuring that the rate of pay increases corresponds with rates in the civilian economy could control future costs for enlisted personnel who already earn an average higher rate of pay than civilian employees in comparable fields.
CBO: Approaches for Scaling Back the Defense Department's Budget Plans (pg. 22)
Pay service contracts the same as the private sector counterparts
Increase oversight of government contracts
The government should not be paying more to contract for a service that a competitor or even a public sector employee can do for cheaper. Congress can pass legislation requiring federal agencies awarding contracts to conduct analyses of whether contractors are more cost-effective, or to use coding systems that allow for comprehensive oversight of cost and comparisons to competitors and public sector counterparts.
POGO: Bad Business: Billions of Taxpayer Dollars Wasted on Hiring Contractors (pg. 35)
Spend less on military bands
$1.8 billion over 10 years —
The armed forces maintain at least 135 military bands across the United States, costing nearly $450 million every year. Even stepping back from the broader debate over their usefulness, this spending should at least be reevaluated. Simply cutting by one-third could save nearly $2 billion over the next decade, for instance, while freeing up resources for national security needs.
Reduce the number of consultants and contractors at headquarters
Some have suggested that there are more consultants and contractors in the Pentagon than necessary -- and they are often paid more than private sector workers. Evaluating the proper size of this contingent will ensure the DoD is not paying for additional personnel that they do not need.
Cut the number of DoD civilian bureaucrat positions
Cut the number of DoD civilian bureaucrat positions through attrition
The Pentagon has a large number of civilian bureaucrats whose jobs do not necessarily relate to national defense. Finding duplicative administrative duties and cutting any waste through attrition should be a priority to free up money for national security priorities.
Shift Army and Marine Corps troops to Reserves
Moving service members to Reserves could preserve ground combat strength while ensuring that the size of the force corresponds more accurately to the drawdown of major ground wars and the increasing use of unmanned warcraft. This could ensure that Americans are safe if the need were to arise, but resources are not used unnecessarily.
Use local civilian contractors instead of military personnel to perform commercial-type activities at military bases
Civilian contractors can be cheaper than military personnel, while still being able to do commercial jobs effectively. Paying less for civilians to perform services as effectively can free up well-trained military personnel to perform jobs that civilians cannot, provided there is appropriate oversight to ensure contractors are not overpaid.
Defund the National Defense Restoration Fund
$28.6 billion —
This fund can theoretically provide spending flexibility, but lacks oversight to ensure funds are not misspent. Moving critical mission needs out of unaccountable funds and into the base budget could encourage greater long-term stability and accountability, and can be accomplished easier with a return to regular order and move away from continuing resolutions.
Washington Examiner: Kay Granger touts plan to give Pentagon a new $28 billion fund
House Appropriators Give SecDef Blank Check For $28.6B
Reevaluate the size of special operations forces
Special Operations currently operate in more than two-thirds of the countries in the world. SOCOM's annual budget has jumped from $3 billion in 2001 to more than $10 billion today. Reevaluating the necessary levels based on the level of US engagement can help save billions.
The Nation: American Special Ops Forces Have Deployed to 70 Percent of the World's Countries in 2017
Limit increases in basic pay
Capping the increases in pay may slightly decrease the retention number, but anticipated reductions in the number of active personnel could achieve a balance. Very small (1%) reductions in the anticipated rate of increase could equal significant savings overall.
Adjust pension eligibility for non-combat personnel
Up to $3.3 billion —
DOD could adjust the ages at which noncombat or administrative personnel could retire with pensions. For jobs that are not as physically demanding as combat personnel, this change is not only reasonable, it would help free up resources to combat wounded and others in more immediate need.
CBO: Costs of Military Pay and Benefits in the Defense Budget
Reduce the number of civilian employees at the Defense Department
$8.8 billion a year per 100,000 workers H.R.295 - REDUCE Act
Half of DOD manufacturing workers are unionized, and waste and inefficiencies can be harder to identify and correct in the civilian workforce. Congress would need to lead with granting approval, as unionization and regulations would slow the process significantly otherwise.
NY Times: The Pentagon's Financial Drawdown
Downsizing Government: Reforming Federal Worker Pay and Benefits
Replace 80,000 Military Personnel in Support Positions With Civilian Employees
$3.1-$5.7 billion per year —
The Department of Defense could transfer some of those positions to civilian employees and decrease the number of military personnel accordingly. In 2012, about 340,000 active-duty military personnel were assigned to commercial positions that perform support functions. Those functions require skills that could be obtained from the private sector so that, in principle, those same positions could be filled by civilian employees.
CBO: Replacing Military Personnel in Support Positions With Civilian Employees
Replace Some Military Personnel With Civilian Employees
Many DOD jobs are commercial, and could be performed by civilian employees or contractors. Civilians can require less training and do not change positions as rapidly as military personnel do. Doing this would decrease the number of active duty personnel, saving the Department of Defense billions of dollars.
Convert jobs that do not need to be filled by officers to civilian positions
Up to $95 million per year —
DOD could assess whether there are currently more officers than necessary for national security, ensuring that funds do not go to unnecessarily expensive personnel.
POGO: More Brass, More Bucks: Officer Inflation in Today's Military
Improve oversight and management of arms and equipment overseas Recently Updated
Improve oversight and management of arms and other military equipment overseas
In 2017, it was revealed that the U.S. Army did not have adequate systems in place for managing over $1 billion worth of arms and military equipment flowing in to Iraq and Kuwait. By implementing better management systems, the Pentagon can save money and improve stability in the region for years to come.
Change the Afghan National Army Uniform Recently Updated
$68.61-$72.71 million over 10 years —
Change the Afghan National Army Uniform
In recent years, DoD has overspent in its purchases of uniforms for the Afghan National Army. By choosing a proprietary camouflage pattern and a different uniform style, costs were up to 43% higher than necessary. Changing these uniforms can save money moving forward.
Afghan National Army Uniform Procurement
Afghan army picked the camo pattern most likely to get its troops shot and we paid for it
Defund the United Nations
$8 billion per year H.R.249 - Defunding United Nations Act of 2017 (Rep. Babin, R-TX)
Reduce or cancel the funds paid to the United Nations
The U.S. pays more than 176 other member states combined for the regular budget and more than 185 countries combined for the peacekeeping budget. While we are disproportionately funding the UN budget, some argue the benefits the US receives are lacking, and multiple legislative proposals have suggested drawing down or ending US involvement.
Fox News: America, we pay way too much for the United Nations
Rethink the number of U.S. troops stationed in Europe
Adjust the number of U.S. troops stationed in Europe to meet 21st century needs
Unless there is a national security conflict or concern, the United States could consider removing troops from countries in Europe, particularly allies where no clear strategic need exists. As Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) has written, these adjustments can be made and "avoid cuts that harm our strategic posture."
Reduce foreign aid to Egypt
$300 million per year Amendment to transportation spending bill from Senator Rand Paul
Reduce the foreign aid to Egypt without a specific goal and outcomes
Members of Congress have objected to the Egyptian government receiving US foreign aid. If assistance is given to a country, it should have a specific goal and clear deliverables, argue lawmakers like Senator Rand Paul, who has introduced amendments to end this foreign aid. In 2017, Senate appropriators voted to cut Egypt's economic aid by $37 million and military aid by $300 million amid concerns over the Egyptian government's human rights abuses, a move the Trump administration signaled its support for.
AL-Monitor: Senate panel slashes military aid to Egypt
Reduce military aid to Afghan Air Force
$814 million —
Reduce military aid to Afghan Air Force as US involvement nears 17 years
The Pentagon continues to give military equipment to the Afghan air force, and now 18 years into US involvement, Congress could reevaluate the amount paid and whether there are opportunities for savings and reductions while maintaining the strategic mission.
Military Times: 150 MD-530s may be headed to Afghanistan
Privatize much of the war in Afghanistan
Up to $30 billion per year —
In August 2017, the White House and President Trump reportedly mulled the "unprecedented" idea of replacing much of the US military personnel in Afghanistan with private contractors. Details on such a plan have not fully been sketched out, but as the conflict and US involvement continue, such options could be considered as part of an overall cost-savings strategy.
USA Today: Trump White House weighs unprecedented plan to privatize much of the war in Afghanistan
Reduce foreign aid
$25 billion per year —
The U.S. government currently pledges billions of dollars to countries all over the world. Many of the countries that we give foreign assistance to do not have a clear need for this support, and money can end up going to corrupt governments instead of aid to their people. Evaluating current foreign aid spending and limiting unnecessary expenditures could save billions.
Map of Foreign Assistance Worldwide
Foreign Policy: Senate Panel Rejects Trump Plan for Cutting Foreign Assistance
Bring troops back from Afghanistan
$1 million per soldier per year 2017 NDAA Amendment from Senator Rand Paul
Scaling back the number of troops that are deployed in Afghanistan would provide major savings, in both the immediate and long-term. Aside from the costs of operating in a foreign country, the Pentagon would also save on healthcare costs down the road.
NY Times: High Costs Weigh on Troop Debate for Afghan War
Bases and Infrastructure
Readdress DOD's operation and maintenance appropriation
The operation and maintenance base budget has risen by nearly 40% since 2000 and was roughly 40% of 2017 requested base budget funding, not including Overseas Contingency funds allocated toward it. Reassessing the amount of money sent to this part of the budget to ensure it is in line with overall force size could save billions of dollars. Reforms could exclude the defense health program from any decreases in funding.
Lift base realignment and closure (BRAC) ban
$2 billion annually by 2027 H.R.753 - Military Infrastructure Consolidation and Efficiency Act of 2017 (11 sponsors)
In recent years, the Pentagon has voiced approval for lifting the ban on Base Realignment and Closure. By closing its unused or underutilized facilities, DOD could save money and distribute resources to places that truly need them and are important to the overall national security needs.
The Hill: Lawmakers offer defense bill amendments to lift BRAC ban
Implement a plan to guide joint bases that combine support services
Leaders may be able to combine services and contract requirements, better use facilities, and shrink the amount of equipment necessary, but need a coherent plan for doing so with measurable goals of cost savings and efficiency.
Increase the use of shared satellite control networks and leading practices
Millions annually —
When modernizing satellites, the DoD should identify successful practices from the commercial sector and ensure that they are built on a common network. The creation of a long-term plan will help facilitate this improvement in modernization.
Reform the DOD's excess equipment disposal process
Millions —
Reform the DOD's excess equipment disposal process to avoid waste and paying for items already acquired
The DOD could further reassess its disposal process to determine whether additional changes are needed to ensure excess equipment is going to the most appropriate use. Reforming the disposal process would allow federal civilian agencies to utilize unused resources that are currently available, instead of purchasing new items, while a fuller accounting of excess items could avoid future waste in acquisitions. This process has been started, but not fully codified, leaving the risk of civilian federal agencies spending additional funds on procurement instead of utilizing excess Pentagon items. A recent report from the Project on Government Oversight showing that the Pentagon would be paying at least $156 million over 6 years to dispose of Humvees instead of selling or donating them.
Scrapped Instead of Sold: Surplus Humvees Could Save Taxpayers Hundreds of Millions
Increase use of underutilized base facilities
DOD could look to identify and use underutilized space at military installations and move organizations in leased space into those facilities, with a focus on consolidating and using all available space whenever possible before buying, building, or renting new infrastructure.
Evaluate the sizing and resourcing of combatant command headquarters
Systematically examining the amount of resources that are needed for the combatant command headquarters and carrying out a comprehensive review of the Africa Command Headquarters specifically could potentially save millions and increase efficiency.
Install large diesel microgrids
$8-$20 million —
Military bases require the use of a lot of electricity but depend upon outdated backup power systems that can put the mission at risk and increase costs and inefficiencies. Switching to an all-diesel microgrid could help the military improve dependability and save money.
Power Begins at Home: Assured Energy for U.S. Military Bases (pg. 40)
Move certain Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funds into the base budget
Amendment to H.R. 4435 - NDAA from Rep. Mulvaney
Move Non-Contingency Programs from the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) budget into the base budget
Particularly as recent budget requests attempt to move even more funding into OCO funding, an area that is not subject to budget caps and can be spent without any meaningful oversight, policymakers should seek reform. Programs that are not related to overseas contingencies should be moved into the base budget.
CRS: Overseas Contingency Operations Funding: Background and Status
Shrink the number of domestic and foreign bases
$1 billion+ H.R.753 - Military Infrastructure Consolidation and Efficiency Act of 2017
Rethink the number of domestic and foreign bases
The United States currently maintains 800 bases in over 70 countries worldwide. The cost of each base includes more than just paying for the base itself -- it also includes the cost of construction, maintenance, personnel, personnel families, housing, schools, and so on. If the Pentagon were to conduct a comprehensive inventory of worldwide installations based on its assessment of threats, it would have the potential to save billions of dollars by identifying installations that are not necessary to 21st Century national security.
The American Conservative: The Hidden Costs of Empire
Enhance the oversight of contingency construction projects Recently Updated
Enhance the oversight of contingency construction projects
Since involvement began in Iraq and Afghanistan, DOD has not separately tracked costs of contingency construction projects in those nations. DOD officials have said that they are not required to track these projects According to senior DOD officials, the department does not have to track these projects separately from other DOD projects, but the department has generated specific data on contingency construction projects in the past. GAO recommended that the department track these projects and review them to ensure funds were not improperly used, among other goals. As of 2018, DOD has taken some steps toward improving flexibility and responsiveness, but further work remains.
Actions Needed to Enhance Oversight of Construction Projects Supporting Military Contingency Operations
Readiness versus Waste
"If we are going to effectively tackle the long-term national security threat posed by our national debt, then we need to seriously examine how our defense dollars are being spent. Waste and inefficiency within the Pentagon not only contributes to our nation's debt and deficit, it also diminishes the effectiveness of our nation's armed forces."
Dan Caldwell, USMC (ret.)
Concerned Veterans for America
"I'm concerned that our increasing fractious political process, particularly with respect to federal spending, is threatening our ability to properly defend our nation both in the short term and especially in the long term."
"This guide is a much-needed first step toward encouraging politicians to consider all available options for substantive Pentagon reform. Our troops deserve better than broken bureaucracy, and politicians shouldn't fool themselves into thinking that throwing money at the problem is the solution."
Capt. Dan Grazier, USMC (ret.)


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Ferrari was silent after Liberty Media announced in Bahrain that it is pressing ahead with new engine rules and a budget cap for 2021.
Earlier, president Sergio Marchionne - who was not present for Friday's key meeting - had warned that changes like those might result in Ferrari quitting the sport.
And amid rumours Liberty's budget ceiling will be $150 million per team, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff agreed that a number like that would be "unworkable".
Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda agreed: "It would mean cutting many jobs, which is something we can't do in such a short time."
A Ferrari spokesperson in Bahrain said the Maranello based team has no comment.
Struggling former great Williams, though, welcomed the proposals.
"Not to say that we were on the brink or anywhere close, but with the way the sport is structured today Williams' survival into the medium and long-term was looking pretty bleak," said deputy boss Claire Williams.
"Everything they (Liberty) presented from revenue redistribution to cost caps is absolutely everything that we want to see from 2021 and beyond," she added.
However, Liberty's F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn admitted that what was proposed on Friday was more of a starting point than a fait accompli.
"The teams need to digest it now and then the discussion proper will start," he said in Bahrain.
But Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said time is tight, and he is sceptical Liberty can push through its agenda.
"There are lots of big topics - engines, prize fund and budget caps - but the thing is how are going to achieve it?"
The next meeting will take place just after the Chinese grand prix, when the strategy group gets together on April 17. Marchionne is slated to attend.


Finding the right gift for someone special can be a challenge. You browse a local jewelry shop, admiring the gems and metals, but nothing strikes you as the "right" piece for your recipient.
More than ornamentation, jewelry may signify commitment, love or deep friendship. A number of jewelry pieces are designed to capture a specific sentiment, while antique or heirloom jewelry holds meaning in its history.
The top 10 list of meaningful jewelry gifts is here. Hopefully one of these pieces will light the way for your holiday or special occasion shopping.
For a new-ish relationship, giving a cupid necklace or earrings is a simple way to let someone know you're smitten. Cupid, the flying naked fellow with the arrows, is a universal symbol of new love. Looking for a meaningful jewelry gift for a hopeless romantic? Cupid will keep her company until Mr. Right comes along.
The peace symbol continues to resonate with people of all ages. A colorful peace pendant or necklace may be a fun piece for a young girl. Young adults, developing a broader perspective of the world through education or work, appreciate the purity and hope of a peace symbol. Worn by both boys and girls, these are meaningful jewelry gifts that can be worn every day.
A number or organizations offer an iconic design to symbolize and benefit a cause. The breast cancer awareness pink ribbon and silver cancer cuff with the poem "What cancer cannot do" engraved are just two examples. Awareness jewelry is often sold by nonprofit organizations, like the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, to raise funds.
The tree of life symbol is a meaningful jewelry gift with universal appeal. The tree appears in many religions. It continues to grow throughout its life, offering shelter and support while always reaching for the sky. You can find this symbol on many necklace pendants, broaches, earrings and rings.
Lockets are a classic meaningful jewelry gift for a loved one. Often a heart or circular shape, you can have them engraved with your recipient's initials. Lockets open with a slot for two photos. You can leave the locket empty if you're not sure which pictures your recipient would want, or include photos of children, parents, a spouse, grandparents, best friends – anyone the recipient loves.
An insect may not sound like the glamorous gift you're going for, but dragonflies are quite beautiful in nature and when replicated by a jeweler's hand. Popular symbols during the Art Deco period, dragonflies symbolize clarity, agility and growth. Their iridescent wings and ability to move in all six directions evoke aspirations, and 80% of their brain power is used for sight.
You don't have to be Irish to give a sibling or single friend a traditional Irish Claddagh ring. The design of a Claddagh features two hands holding a heart with a crown, symbolizing love, friendship and loyalty. When worn on the right hand with the heart facing away from the wearer, the ring conveys romantic availability. The heart turned in signifies that her heart is "captured". On the left hand, the Claddagh is worn as a wedding ring.
Making a positive impact on the environment is more than a cause. For many, living an eco- and socially conscious lifestyle is an important part of who they are. Luckily, the world is full of thoughtful jewelers who only use eco-friendly renewable or reclaimed materials. Check out FairTradeJewelry.org for ethically sourced jewelry.
Jewelry with religious iconography may symbolize a shared spiritual connection, grounding or reminder of how they were raised. Jewelry often uses crosses, the Star of David and other spiritually meaningful symbols. Religious symbols are an intimate gift that may lend your recipient strength, focus and comfort.
Family heirloom jewelry is not meant to be given to just anyone. A grandmother's ring or a parent's locket carries a lifetime of memories with it. If you're looking for a jewelry gift for a teenager or young adult, heirloom jewelry is a significant reminder of ancestry. For someone beginning college, a career or a family, heirloom jewelry celebrates the future by preserving the past.


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text:
California's high traffic fines unfairly punish the poor: activists
California legislators have raised fines for traffic infractions to some of the highest in the United States to generate revenue, and the poor are bearing an unfair burden, losing cars and jobs because they cannot pay them, civil rights activists said on Friday.
The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area said in a new report that the $490 fine for a red light ticket in California was three times the national average. The cost was even higher if motorists wanted to attend traffic school in lieu of a conviction or were late paying.
"Our state is raising money off the backs of California families to balance the budget for special projects, and it's using traffic tickets as a revenue generator instead of to protect safety, instead of to do justice, said Elisa Della-Piana, the group's legal director.
The report, released on Thursday, comes as lawmakers in some states and local jurisdictions have begun to recognize the implications of high traffic fines on the poor and unemployed, especially in minority communities.
Failure to pay a fine on time can lead to a motorist losing his driver license and car, suffer further financial problems and even wind up in jail.
"Studies show 78 percent of Californians drive to work and a very high percentage have to have a license to have a job," Della-Piana said. "If you can't afford to pay $500 this month for a traffic ticket, that's also saying to many families, you lose your household income."
California lawmakers have begun to take baby steps to address the problem, Della-Piana said, with Governor Jerry Brown lately vetoing new attempts by state legislators to raise fines or tack on new fees to traffic tickets as they grapple with deep budget deficits brought on in part by mushrooming public employee pension obligations.
Brown, a Democrat, has also said in his latest budget proposal that the state should not be suspending driver licenses for failure to pay a ticket.
State Senator Bob Hertzberg, a Democrat from Los Angeles, has introduced legislation that would reduce fines based on a motorist's ability to pay.
Della-Piana said California should next stop arresting motorists who cannot afford to pay their tickets. Black people are statistically more likely to be jailed for such offenses, according to the report.
(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
National security lawyer: Trump might 'already be in prison' if not for the DOJ policy
On Thursday, newly unsealed documents showed that FBI agents believed President Donald Trump was personally involved in the illegal scheme to pay off porn star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an affair she had with him ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Furthermore, the Office of Legal Counsel memo prohibiting the indictment of a sitting president reportedly "factored into" the end of the probe.
On Thursday's edition of MSNBC's "The Beat," Ari Melber confronted acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan about President Donald Trump's empty threat of "mass raids" of communities nationwide by immigration officials — and Morgan was not pleased.
"The president said there would be these mass raids. Described as thousands of arrests," said Melber. "Were there mass raids, yes or no?"
"First of all, I don't actually call this a raid," said Morgan. "I think words matter."
"Words matter, so I'm going to get to your response," said Melber. "Were there mass raids as promised?"


text:
Higher Edge Opens Satellite Office at Eastern
Home Newsroom September Higher Edge Opens Satellite Office at Eastern
The New London-based nonprofit organization Higher Edge and Eastern Connecticut State University celebrated a milestone in their partnership on Sept. 19, when Higher Edge opened a satellite office on the Eastern campus. The college access- and success-focused organization will support aspiring college students from underserved populations in the Windham area.
"We're in the business of getting students to and through college," said Chris Soto, founding director of Higher Edge, which guides low-income and first-generation students from enrollment to graduation by providing one-on-one advising and support.
"There are barriers in front of our students," added Soto, acknowledging the many challenges that first-generation and low-income students face. "Eastern has been a tremendous partner, understanding the needs of our students."
More Higher Edge students attend Eastern than any other college. Currently there are 30 Higher Edge students enrolled at Eastern. When Higher Edge started in 2010, three students went to Eastern; last year 11 enrolled; and this year 15 more chose Eastern.
"When we do campus tours, our students can see themselves here," said Soto. "But what keeps them here is the amazing staff connecting those dots — student affairs, admissions, academic advising — all these awesome people making sure no one is slipping through the cracks."
The satellite location is in the Knight House on Eastern's main campus, strategically found between Windham High School and Windham Technical High School. Originally, Higher Edge was considering downtown Willimantic, but identified the prime location at Eastern to reach as many students as possible.
"We're honored they chose us," said Eastern President Elsa Núñez. "Higher Edge is particularly important to the Hispanic community, and in Willimantic, the need is tremendous." She added that in New London, "only 16 percent of high school graduates finish college; in Willimantic, only 10 percent finish."
"The worst place to be is high debt with no degree," said Congressman Joe Courtney, who represents both Windham and New London counties. "College completion gets to the heart of the challenge."
The Higher Edge approach is two-pronged: helping students to navigate the college application process and financial aid paperwork (Access); and supporting them academically through graduation (Success). Gilbert Bonafe, director of the new Higher Edge office, mentioned how his job is also two-pronged: "To help students through the complex process that is gaining college access, and to work together with the community to achieve our shared goals."
The expansion of Higher Edge would not have been possible without a substantial grant from the Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation. "We're committed to the underserved population in Windham," said Eileen Ossen, executive director. "I've come to the conclusion that education is the best tool for improving lives." With this enhanced partnership on the Eastern campus, she affirmed, "We're going to change the lives of the underserved in Windham."
Written by Michael Rouleau
Categories: Academics


Declining endemic of the East Asian flyway, this mid-sized and stocky wader forages almost exclusively on coastal mudflats and very rarely ventures inland. Gray overall, but adult in breeding plumage has a brick-orange patch on the upper wing and a black back and chest. Nonbreeding plumage much duller, with dark brown-gray back, wings, and head complemented by a white belly. Structurally similar to Red Knot, but Red Knot is much paler in nonbreeding plumage, appears stumpier, and has a shorter bill.


Big life changes almost always have an impact on our living situations. Jobs, babies and marriages often require a change of address. Another life event that usually creates a need to find a new rental: divorce.
Renting after a divorce is new territory for most and there are things to think about before signing a lease.
To avoid renter's remorse, these suggestions will make sure you've got all of your bases covered.
After a divorce, the size of apartment you will need will most likely change. You're probably used to a bigger space since you were sharing it, so think about what you really need.
If you have children, even if it's only for a portion of the time, it's important that you have a safe and welcoming space for them to stay. While you may only need a one-bedroom apartment, make considerations for the children to feel like they have a home when they visit you and not staying in a hotel room.
If you'll be alone in the apartment, don't sell yourself short on the amount of space you might need. It's been shown that living in hyper-small spaces can have detrimental health effects, so make sure you give yourself space to breathe.
On the other hand, don't go so big that you can't clean and maintain it easily and quickly.
Budget is always a consideration, but a recent divorce might place some restrictions on your spending that you hadn't previously thought about.
If you need to pay alimony or child support to your former spouse, you need to account for the loss of that money to your monthly budget.
You should also be wary of any impending expenses related to the divorce. Divorces are often expensive for both parties and you may not have incurred the final costs. Lawyer fees, mediation fees and court fees can pile up quickly and add up to an amount you didn't expect.
On the same note, you may have a recurring mortgage payment if you're in the process of selling a family home. Paying rent on top of a monthly mortgage could really take a hit to your budget. Hopefully, you'll receive equity from the sale of your old home, but you should never count on it. Real estate is a fickle business.
There are a whole range of emotions you could feel following a divorce. You might be feeling a sense of relief, a sense of panic or maybe you're not feeling much of anything. Regardless, to make the best decisions about your next home, take a breath to figure out your short-term and long-term goals.
If you're looking for a permanent place, make sure you find a home that meets your needs in terms of amenities as well budget.
However, if you're looking for more of an emergency residency to help you get back on your feet, you should prioritize a reasonable lease agreement over anything. Many cities have plenty of options with short term lease agreements.
Though you might be apathetic now, a few months down the road you'll appreciate taking these steps to help any future moves go more smoothly.
Renting after a divorce is truly what you make of it. Consider yourself, your needs and the needs of your loved ones before renting a new space.
Timothy HarrisTimothy Harris is a freelance writer based in Albuquerque. He brings a professional background in event marketing, residential real estate and journalism to the table to provide useful and relevant content for the modern renter. Timothy has previously written content for Karsten & Associates in New Mexico and Up 'til Dawn, a philanthropic fundraiser that benefits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.