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

Eliminate all CONUS based commissaries and replace
with a chain grocery store on military installations (not Wal-Mart).

Remove all civilians that are not prior military
service, from all positions, on all bases, with the exception of teachers,
certified doctors and nurses in hospitals, receptionist do not meet the criteria
to continue service this can be filled by 68 series I’m sure.

Either remove the Military police branch all
together or remove civilian law enforcement from bases. No need to have two
conflicting groups who do not approve of each other’s tactics on a base doing
the same job.

Identify NCO's with substandard NCOER's and remove
them

Identify soldiers with UCMJ in sequential order of
amount received and remove them from the top down.

Identify all soldiers who are overweight and tape
by 6% or more and remove them immediately with a probation period to make
progress

Identify soldiers who security clearances have
been revoked and remove them

#1.  Trim the fat.  Remove those bottom level performers, those personnel who dont meet the standard, and those who want to get out.  I would much rather retain my top performers along with those who want to be there, instead of forcing those who dont want to be there to stay. 

#2.  Remove civilians from any position that a green suiter can fill without compromising combat capability.  Why do we have so many civilians filling positions that Soldiers spend months of training to perform?  Im tired of seeing Helicopter maintainers who spent nearly a year to learn their job cutting grass and picking weeds while civilians (Many of them personnel who got out) drawing a 6 figure paycheck doing their job.

#3.  Cut costly programs that we dont need.  If it isnt broke...why are we fixing it.  Do we need another uniform thats not going to be any more effective than the last?  Do we need new rifles when the ones we have have proven their worth over the last 4 decades (Thats arguable either way, but you get my point), do we need to replace the Kiowa if its actually performing its job as we require in combat, do we?

#4.  Doesnt it make more sense to send 10 instructors TDY to a post for a school (IE NCOES) then to send 30 students to another post for class?  MTT teams have more than made their point for being a relevant, cost saving way to make sure our Soldiers are staying current on all required training.

I have been working with the
military for over 32 years of which over 20 of those years have been working
within the recruiting and retention fields both as a military member and as a corporate
professional. I experienced many changes during those times especially the
impact of the draw-down during the 90s as a recruiting and retention
professional. The problem with the military is they do not do anything
moderately. Everything is an extreme action, especially with personnel. A lot
of money is spent during a ramp up, drawing down and then trying to put the brakes on
after the draw down. These extremes, especially those involving a draw-down; provides
the public with a bad impression of the military which results in more spending
to overcome the negative views. There are even problems created within the
military that carry on beyond the draw-down. Young officers that entered the
Army during the draw-down of the 90's had to be reminded after the draw-down to
remind them the draw-down was over. They had become conditioned to put military
members out for minor infractions. I believe because of this, our ability to
actually lead and provide mentorship to young military members also diminished.
The military needs to find the “band of excellence” when it comes to personnel
strength and stick to it. This is the level that is described in the Army’s
Battle Focused Training doctrine (FY 25-101) for training. It is the level where
it is easy and affordable to quickly ramp up during a conflict and draw-down
afterwards. History has shown us that during conflict, especially early on,
Americans are drawn to join the military. This emotion may subside as the conflict
draws out, but this is to our advantage. History also shows there is a natural
attrition at the end of a draw down. Analyst need to use this information to determine
the natural sustainment level for personnel. The bottom level should be not
lower than what our Reserves can naturally handle for a short period during a
ramp up until the active forces can catch up. The reserve forces would be allowed
to return to the reserve state to be ready for any possible additional
conflict. A plan needs to be developed to control the attrition at the end of
the conflict that will guide the military back to the sustainment level.
Creating this model will most likely save money, provide a better public
opinion of the military as an employer, and create a higher state of readiness.
Bottom-line. The military has been ramping up and drawing down since the revolution.
The problem is they always act as if it is a new phenomenon. It may be for the
current leaders, but it is status quo. Let’s finally develop a model that can be used
long-term and stop acting like this is a new requirement. If they need help...call me.