CBO Testimony: Trends in Selected Indicators of Military Readiness
Abstract
This testimony contains the statement of Neil M. Singer, Acting Assistant Director, National Security Division, Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Mr. Singer appeared before the Subcommittee to discuss CBO's recent analysis of military readiness. The term "readiness" refers to the ability of a military force to deploy quickly and perform initially in wartime the way it was designed to. This testimony addresses two aspects of readiness: what is the state of current readiness based on available indicators, and what are the implications for future readiness of levels of funding for some important categories of defense resources? Readiness is a key aspect of military capability, particularly in a period when conflicts can commence with little warning. As the drawdown in defense spending continues, however, the ability of the Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure that its forces are ready is increasingly subject to debate. Initial reductions in defense spending came disproportionately from the procurement accounts, which pay for new weapons. Future reductions may have to come primarily from the military personnel and operation and maintenance (O&M) accounts, which fund military pay and activities related to readiness such as training and equipment maintenance. The need to protect readiness is widely accepted within DoD. The recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) paper, "Trends in Selected Indicators of Military Readiness, 1980 Through 1993," examines trends in two of DoD's most widely used and longest-established indicators of unit readiness: C-ratings and mission-capable rates. The paper also examines DoD's performance in five resource areas that are at the heart of the debate about future readiness levels: personnel quality, the total level of funding for the O&M accounts, depot maintenance, the supply of spare parts, and maintenance of real property.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 21, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA452626
Entities
People
- Neil M. Singer
Organizations
- Congressional Budget Office