The Salvation Army’s Post

“For too long, because we were taking risk in those types of initiatives in order to buy the weapons systems, they became more and more in disrepair,” Lt. Gen. James Adams, the deputy Marine commandant for programs and resources, said about the barracks at a panel discussion Wednesday at the Modern Day Marine conference in Washington. Reality hits like a ton of bricks. This is a point that that I have made previously. The long wars in Afghanistan and Iraq - both strategic failures (though there were many tactical and operational victories that did not change the final result) - pulled key resources away from troop barracks, family housing, military educational construction, and other important requirements. Now the United States is setting defense funding priorities for the Indo-Pacific region to deter an increasingly aggressive China, along with military support for Ukraine and Israel. It is hard to catch up on building and/or repairing barracks that have been largely neglected for more than two decades, which is a problem for all military services. This has been a failure of political and military leadership, wasting money on all sorts of unnecessary construction in Afghanistan and Iraq (not just weapons systems), while our troops and families were living in shoddy military housing. #barracks #funding #repair #replacement #neglect #military #family #housing #budget #waste #iraq #afghanistan #programs #resources #construction #projects #weapons #systems #troops #defense #priorities #leadership #strategic #failure #china #ukraine #israel #risk #strategy https://lnkd.in/d8ikYjTP

Did you know that the Department of Defense offers grants to state and local governments for addressing deficiencies in community infrastructure that support military installations? Yup. They'll provide money for projects related to transportation, community support facilities (schools, hospitals, police, fire, and emergency response, etc.), and utility infrastructure (e.g., water, wastewater, telecommunications, electric, gas, etc.) that are located off of a military installation or on property under the jurisdiction of a Secretary of a military department. This year's deadline has passed, but keep the funding in mind for future projects and start planning now. www.jozanagrants.com #localgovernment #school #transportation #wastewater #utilities

In this week’s blog post, we take a look at the fifth in our series, Navy Business Development Part 5: Understanding the Services and Department of the Navy Budget, where we take a look at where to find and break down the Navy’s annual budget. A timely one for those looking to dig deeper on where spending is going! Take a look at: https://lnkd.in/gQEg_HYQ #smallbusiness #navy #businessdevelopment Patricia Giesler Kevin Uhrich Jim Darenkamp (MSPM, MSIM)

This is a hard hitting article. It raises issues about the U.S. military that many of us have been thinking about with legitimate concern. The timing could not be more poignant and impactful as we commemorate the decisive D-Day invasion 80 years ago today. A lot of changes are needed, whether you agree with all of points raised in this piece or not. We can do a lot better for the defense of our nation and the support of our allies. #unitedstates #military #defense #funding #leadership #budget #industrialbase #cost #deterrence #performance #reform #reality #threats #strategy #prevention #strength #direction #nationalsecurity #pentagon #reality #change #mission #strength #personnel #readiness #equipment #allies https://lnkd.in/dNcQtKrU

Always more money. For F-35s of questionable value, that have never been combat-proven, like the F-15, which when they advocated building more of in the late 1990s, was completely disregarded, and now, wait for it- 25 years down the line- we quietly revive the F-15EX? Or the billions spent on Littoral Combat Ships, now destined for the scrapyard? Let’s go back to the United States Air Force- how about the decades of calls for retirement of the A-10/ WARTHOG, which were contested, and when a fly-off against the F-35 showed the A-10 to be vastly superior, Congress/ USAF classified the results of the fly-off? We don’t need to give DoD more money. DoD needs to go into rehab for its addiction to expensive, endless procurement programs. We need to get back to basics.

Have you checked your TSP? Are you contributing to the Traditional or Roth TSP? Do you know which funds your money is being contributed to? L, S, G, C, I, and F Funds all have different benefits and short falls. If you have already separated from the Service, you aren't able to continue to making contributions, but you can still adjust where your money is. #veteranshelpingveterans #transitioningmilitary #militarytransition

For military members, the importance of having an emergency fund cannot be overstated. The nature of military life, with its unpredictability and the potential for sudden deployments, underscores the need for a financial safety net. An emergency fund acts as a buffer against the unforeseen, providing peace of mind and financial security in times of unexpected expenses or transitions. It's not just about being prepared for the unknown; it's about ensuring that you and your family have the stability and resources needed to weather any storm. Building and maintaining an emergency fund is a critical step in safeguarding your financial well-being and ensuring that you're ready for whatever comes your way. #MilitaryFinance #EmergencyFund #FinancialReadiness #ServiceMemberSupport"

An emergency fund helps you prepare for the unexpected expenses of military life. See if your family needs one, how big it should be, and where to keep it: https://hubs.ly/Q020S1jD0

Channel your inner "Waterproofing Warrior" and keep your home dry. Seal vulnerable areas around sinks, tubs, and showers. Don't let tiny cracks in walls or foundations grow into bigger leaks by tackling them swiftly. It's also important to ensure proper drainage angles away from your home. With these proactive measures, you'll banish dampness and enjoy peace of mind. Need help managing your property? 📱 541-581-0406 Serving the Willamette Valley. #cascadianproperties #smallbusinessowner #locallyownedandoperated #veteranowned #usmc #usnavy #propertyinvestment #propertymanagement #growyourwealth #managinginvestments

Recent revelations about the neglect of barracks housing by our military leadership, as admitted by Gen. Eric Smith, the Marine Commandant, are a troubling indicator of deeper issues within our military funding and operational priorities. These revelations are not just about the physical state of military living quarters; they symbolize a disturbing trend in how the sacrifices of our service members are often overlooked by those who do not share directly in the burdens of war. For decades, the United States has engaged in overseas conflicts with a financial strategy markedly different from past wars. Historically, wars were accompanied by national mobilization: taxes increased, bonds were sold, and the draft was enacted, ensuring that the whole nation shared in the sacrifices. However, the Global War on Terrorism deviated from this path. Instead, we saw tax cuts at home while our soldiers faced the realities of war, a stark contradiction to the notion of shared sacrifice that underpins democratic engagement in military conflict. This dissonance between the home front and the battlefield is exacerbated by a military hierarchy that too often prioritizes career advancement over the welfare of the soldiers. High-ranking officers, driven by personal ambition, have at times advocated for prolonged conflicts or accepted missions without demanding corresponding increases in support for the troops. This ambition can lead to decisions that prolong soldiers' exposure to danger unnecessarily and keep them living in substandard conditions. It is unconscionable that our service members, who stand on the front lines of freedom, should have to endure inadequate living conditions or lack the full backing of their country. If the funding isn't there to ensure both their effective deployment and their humane treatment at home, then perhaps it's a conflict we should reconsider. Our soldiers’ commitment to our nation is not a blank check for military or political leaders to pursue unresolved or poorly justified conflicts that ultimately cost more than they yield. This ongoing situation raises fundamental questions about our national values and the moral obligations we hold towards those we send into harm's way. It is not just a matter of military policy but a reflection of our societal principles. We must remember that each decision to extend a deployment, each choice to prioritize equipment over essential living conditions, profoundly impacts real people who deserve better from their leaders and their country. The notion that the very individuals who defend our nation might be required to fund their own battles through cuts to essential services like housing is unacceptable. This isn't just a misstep; it's a grievance that demands acknowledgment and apology. True support for our military means ensuring that the costs of war are never balanced on the backs of those who fight.