FORT SILL Okla_ US Army Secretary
John McHugh took a small break from what he calls "a cloud of
uncertainty" in Washington to come to Oklahoma. He visited Fort Sill
for the first time.
He addressed many issues facing the military, like the impending
sequester. The secretary said that he can't see anytime in the near future
where fires for effects won't be necessary to be successful on the battlefield.
He said that's good news for Fort
Sill. No matter what, Sill
should continue to be a vital part of the army's operation. However, he warned
training here could change a lot if the budget is cut.
Secretary
McHugh said the army is always evolving. What he doesn't know is how much it
might have to change with massive impending budget cuts.
The former
member of congress is not willing to let the cloud of uncertainty darken the
sky just yet.
"I at
least remain hopeful that the way forward can be worked out," McHugh said, "That
some sort of agreement can be reached that will at least lessen that layer of
cloud."
Even though he
sees the silver lining, he is certain the army must have a plan of action no
matter what. Sequestration is only one of three major cuts that could affect
our men and women in uniform. If all cuts in question happen, the military
could lose nearly $20 billion in its budget in 2013. The secretary said those
effects will carry over.
"It would
likely extend into 2014," McHugh said "And ultimately touch just about every
part of the United States Army and just about everything we do."
The part that could
be affected most, even at Fort sill, is live training.
"It cost
money to go out there and fire those rounds," McHugh said.
He said that
only units deploying to Afghanistan
and Korea
would receive this full training. Everyone else would have to use more virtual artillery
exercises. That's something Fort
Sill has already been
doing in Monte Hall for years.
"The
development and utilization of simulators here at Fort Sill
are instructive to people like myself," McHugh said.
Fort Sill is on the
right track for training in the future. However, if budget cuts hit, soldiers
will be going to war with fewer opportunities to experience training.
If the
sequester happens, the secretary said some accounts are "off limits",
like those that take care of soldiers as they are deployed and those used for
training soldiers about to be deployed . He said that they also hope to protect
family programs.
Fort Sill was one of the few major posts in the US that Secretary
McHugh had not visited. He said that he is impressed and expects more good
things in the future.
