What's the most important thing the military should do while going through this downsizing period?

Prepare the Soldiers they pick to leave for life as civilians. Sync all military professions with their civilian counterparts when possible; not likely to sync tank gunner with a civilian counterpart, could since NCO/officer with manager.Align ALL Army jobs with college credit; SMA = Masters' program in military History, War College = MBA etc. 

certify all those with skills in other words give them OSHA and FAA tests before getting out those certificates would get them into great jobs.

Spend less time on focusing what uniforms to change, what weapons to attain, what new emerging technologies influence new training; and just maintain what minimal assets we currently have.  I just went to a CLS course where all the E-4 and below teaching it were slick sleeves.  There is a sickness developing in the military that is going to run rampid.  It is the thought of a FOB Army fighting in the next battle that has no FOB.  Too often the fast trackers that we have promoted lost connection with this and now people of authority cannot even write an NCOER or counseling a soldier for insubordination.  If we continue down this path the Army will faces challeneges not seen in the history of its existence.  An Army of whiners who will refuse to "STAND-TO" when ordered or "Remove the PRO-MASK at gun point if necessary" as taught by training from post-Cold War techniques.  There is a significant dilemma and it needs to be addressed.  Too long have unit's had METL's that looked good on paper but poorly executed or not at all in the garrison environment.  The problems don't go away there even NCOES's that cycle through have no set standard.. As we keep changing the standards almost monthly we change the way one leader is mentored over another.  So what message would I send to those that can control it.  Simply "LET US TRAIN"!!!!  Go to live fires, weapons familairization and immersion; ground and air tactical movement; extreme combat casualty care; CTT quarterly trainings that require submission to HRC or TRADOC; focus on the future leaders of tomorrow's battleground the E-4 and below.  They deserve good leadership just as we deserve their respect, candor, and willingness to obey our orders as we put them in harm's way if necessary.  Drop the disgusting drive to change what we wear(pt's (3 changes(grays/sweats, improvised physical training uniform, and the upcoming new uniform); fatigues(5 changes, BDU's, DCU's, ACU's, Multi-Cam's, and the new one upcoming); dress uniforms(Class A's and ASU's)) concentrate on the important issues.  I have had five uniforms and a headgear change in over ten years of service.  That is ridiculous compared to WWII thru Vietnam which essentially remained the same.  Why so many changes that bring hardship costs to not only the soldier but all the FIELD GEAR as well stressing the fiscal situation for the military as a whole.  Realistically FIELD TRAINING EXERCISES; SITUATIONAL TRAINING EXERCISES; and MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE TRAINING are cost effective and legitimate to occupy time that we do have with the down-time and decreasing deployments abroad.  If we do not act soon the military will become a eyesore for XBOX/PS3 generation non-fighters who will whine because they didnt receive more than a bottle of water and one MRE a day.  That generational fighter will drop everything until their needs are met not earning it but holding the battleground hostage until they feel ready to task out.  Finally, not asking the Battalion Commanders and above could a Senior Ranking member of the military ask a Soldier fresh out of AIT and assigned for six months at his unit "what has he done or learned and how does his leadership engage in his life on as well as off duty"?  I wonder what that new XBOX/PS3 Gen soldier would state without influence from his command or direct leadership.  Sad to say I have asked those questions and the answer was frightening... The Soldier response was "NOTHING"!!!  So I continue to put the blinders on control what is in my realm of control (Soldiers, assigned duties, and families) and drive on with what mission or task is asked of me.  That is the real answer unless your in a position of authority that allows there is nothing you can do but wait and hope that the powers that be make decisive and intelligent decisions that will make or break what we have been doing over the last decade.  TWO WARS, SIX UNIFORM CHANGES(pt's, fatigues, dress), and fast trackers who now dictate authority over more qualified subordinates across a variety of topics.

Why is our military as large as it is? How large a force do we need to protect ourselves from a foreign invasion? 

Support politicians who still believe that America as a whole is more important than their own political careers or private agendas.

    The Army has been through this before (70's and 91-92) so it is not a new thing.  The Army leadership needs to get the policies right when downsizing.  During the last go round, many of those who took the VSI were not able to get into the reserves because they had to pay back the VSI upon retirement.  Therefore we lost an opportunity to keep a number of highly qualified individuals because it did not make economic sense.
    Treat those who have served with dignity and respect.  The RIFs of the Vietnam era were tough on many of those who had served.
   

Relevant issues are that this country must maintain  a current, relevant and well trained military at all times with an unwavering Command and Control, close and direct communications to those in the Capitol  for decisive solutions to threats to homeland and our allies.

Destroy the budget. REWARD units for coming in under budget. It is far too often you see units scramble to spend the last of their funds to prevent losing them.

While downsizing we need to determine our mission and prepare and position our forces accordingly. If the Cold War is truly over, do we really need to maintain as large a presence in Europe as we have since after the second World War? What weapons platforms, and MOSs are relevant to current and future operations? Inertia and maintaining the status quo while not preparing for the mission needs of the future are what caused many once great companies to fail, and it can do the same harm to our great nation. We can maintain a strong force that is prepared for the future while reducing costs by getting away from the mentality that everything we have is untouchable and sacred since it's the way we've always done things.