Chapter 219

Washington D.C.

Three weeks earlier, the Department of Defense had released the latest iteration of the Quadrennial Defense Review. Conducted every four years, the congressionally mandated Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) directs the Department of Defense to undertake a bottom up review of strategy, resources, and programs. This doc.u.ment is expected to define a national defense strategy by thoroughly outlining force structure, modernization plans, and a budget plan allowing the military to execute a full range of missions within that strategy. Included within the review is an evaluation by the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the military's ability to successfully execute its missions at a low to moderate level of risk within the forecast budget plan. The results of this Quadrennial Defense Review would shape American strategy and force structure in coming years.

Proclaimed by the Department of Defense as a paradigm shift in the overall structure of the Armed Forces, the QDR created a stir before its release. Defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon immediately put lobbyists long on the payroll to work, hoping to mitigate any potential crimp in future procurement plans. Following suit, the defense blogosphere caught fire, and began to blast the sitting Secretary of Defense for failing to meet his mandate. Happening before the QDR's release, the reviews more vocal opponents had no clue how far off base their claims were.

After reviewing the QDR, in a rare act of completely bipartisan politics, both the United States House Subcommittee for Defense Appropriations, and the Senate Committee on the Armed Forces came together. Using the structure laid out in the QDR, the House subcommittee authorized a twenty percent increase in total budget for the Department of Defense, to be spread out over the separate services. Matching this move, the Committee on the Armed Forces pushed forward several key pieces of legislation. The first of these was an increase in manpower levels across the armed forces.

Army operating levels would jump from their current authorized five hundred and forty eight thousand soldiers, to a total of six hundred and fifty seven thousand six hundred total soldiers. The Marine Corps would jump from the current total of two hundred and three thousand Marines, to a new total of two hundred and forty three thousand seven hundred and fourteen Marines. The Navy would jump from current manning levels of three hundred and thirty two thousand sailors, to a new total of three hundred and ninety eight thousand four hundred total sailors. The Air Force would rise from its current total of three hundred and twenty three thousand airmen, to a new total of three hundred and eighty seven thousand six hundred airmen. In an unexpected move, the Coast Guard was also taken into account, with an increase in total manning from forty one thousand, to a new total of forty eight thousand. Changes did not stop there.

The Air Force found itself suddenly directed to expand its total number of aviation wings. A total of twenty-four new air wings covering air superiority, tactical and strategic bombing, and reconnaissance were ordered established. Furthermore, the Air Force was directed to initiate a design and construction program for a new class of strategic bomber. Filling the roll of the B-52 and B-2, this craft would be capable of interstellar flight, and posses the ability to conduct deep penetration strikes. Authorization was also provided for an increase in the total number of intelligence gathering craft to be maintained in the inventory.

Rejoining active duty Army rolls, a number of units were to be reactivated. Both the 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions, along with the 5th Infantry Division and 2nd Cavalry Division would return to active status. Joining them, the 10th Armored Cavalry Regiment was to be added. Not stopping there, further sweeping changes took shape. A nullification of both the Key West Agreement of 1947, and the Johnson-McConnell Agreement of 1966 opened the door to a return of fixed wing tactical aircraft, and the addition of Puddle Jumpers to be operated and maintained by the Army. This change lifted the Air Force's long hold over fixed wing combat aircraft.

Allowance and authorization was also provided for replacement of many weapons systems. Artillery platforms would take shape in the form of rail gun technology, in a move away from traditional chemical propellants. Expanding on this upgrade, all weapons over calibers of twenty millimeters would also be exchanged for electrically driven rail gun technology types. Army Soldier Systems Command, working in concert with DARPA and civilian contractors, was ordered to begin an in depth study on systems required in the new battle space envisioned for the war fighter. New hand held weapons, communications gear, and protective systems would fall under this study.

Like their Army brethren, the Marine Corps also found itself swept away in a sea of change. The 5th and 6th Marine Divisions were to be reestablished. Marine aviation would also be greatly increased in size, and equipped with strike aircraft matching those currently employed by both the Air Force and Navy. Weapons systems like those directed for Army service would also replace traditional Marine equipment. Expansion of the total number of Marine Expeditionary Brigades was also directed, for service off world.

The second piece of legislation came in the form of a modification to Title 10 United States Code, subsection 5062(b), which stated that the United States Navy shall not include less than eleven operational aircraft carriers. This modification allowed for a massive shift in focus from the oceans of the world to the stars, while greatly freeing up operating budget dollars. CVN-69 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, CVN-70 USS Carl Vinson, CVN-71 USS Theodore Roosevelt, and CVN-72 Abraham Lincoln would immediately be retired from active service, and placed in inactive naval reserve. Their attending air wings would be reequipped with other platforms, and reassigned.

A reduction in assorted surface support vessels was also ordered, in conjunction with the carrier deactivations. The Navy was directed to immediately design and construct a class or classes of vessels for use in the interstellar fleet. These new vessels would fill the role with matching capabilities of the amphibious combat sealift arm. Soon, the Navy would have the ability to transport large numbers of Marines and assorted combat troops to other corners of the universe in vessels designed for the purpose.

In a surprise move, the United States Coast Guard would be transferred from the control of the Department of Homeland Security, to the Department of Defense. Terrestrial duties would remain, with a four-fold increase in sea going vessels. Greatly expanding their area of operations, the Coast Guard was directed to work with the Air Force and Navy, to design and construct a fleet of ten cutter class vessels. These vessels would assume the role of rescue and patrol duties within the Milky Way.

Making use of long held markers, and assorted political capital, the ranking majority and minority party members brought their political parties sitting members into line. In less than ten days, the legislation was pushed through both the House and Senate, where an overwhelming majority vote approved their passage into law. Two days later, an extremely pleased President Hayes happily signed the new Defense Appropriations bill into law. Soon, the United States would field a military fully equipped to meet any challenge in this galaxy and others.