Why do military departments debate operational training budget drawdowns and still employ hundreds of thousands of civilian employees?

PO3 Aaron Hassay — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 15:16:10 -0400

This hurts young service members in the end, as I personally received no advanced training, because of budget I was told, and no one benefits in the end. This is just 1 budget issue I notice in DOD manpower requirement reports especially during drawdowns. It leads to something called SWO in in a box Surface Warfare Officer Training in a box which is debated all budgetary.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 29 at 2019 3:46 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 15:46:42 -0400

Because it’s like comparing apples to lawn chairs

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2019 5:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 17:34:22 -0400

Unless there are 4 Star Generals and politicians that are on the Armed Services Committee here on RP...you aren't ever going to get a clear answer for this one.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Sep 29 at 2019 7:07 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 19:07:43 -0400

In the 60s it was decided by the brain trust at the pentagon, and supported by the brain trust on the hill, that utilizing military personnel for many stateside billets was a waste of defense assets that resulted in operational units being short staffed and those personnel detached to garrison duties to miss integrated training with their normal units. While it may have seemed like a good idea at the time.....

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Sep 30 at 2019 12:34 PM

MSgt Michael Smith — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 12:34:04 -0400

Cause those civil service dudes don't do anything useful do they? They couldn't possibly be equal to or as useful as a highly trained Petty Officer could they? In fact why does the DOD even have civil servants? Petty Officers could just do everything if only they got the training right? Naive much? You don't have a clue.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 30 at 2019 12:35 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 12:35:40 -0400

Put simply, we don't function without civilians. Behind every senior General Officer is a team of civilians doing all the research and spoon feeding him or her their decisions. The civilians usually are retired military, and have far more knowledge, experience, education and training than their military counterpart. Without them, there is no doctrine or senior decision making...