A Comparison of the Post-Cold War Defense Budget Reduction to Prior Post-Conflict Reductions after World War II, Korea and Vietnam
Abstract
This thesis compares the current drawdown in defense budgets to those which occurred after World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Bach post-conflict period is examined with respect to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy, comparing the degree and rate of reductions in budgets, manning and ships. There are three principle conclusions drawn from the research. First, that President Eisenhower was uniquely successful among post-conflict Presidents in maintaining the balance between force levels and funding during post-conflict drawdowns. Second, that the post-Vietnam 'hollow forces' occurred when funding was insufficient in the face of inflation to sustain the change to the all volunteer force. Third, that early signs in the current reduction point to the possibility of similar difficulties in balancing reductions in forces and budgets. Budget, Drawdown, Reduction, Demobilization
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 23, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA273230
Entities
People
- Edwin F. Williamson
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School