One thing about it DS Chuck Hagel

[madokie]

knows that no amount of sucking up to the pukes will do any good. In a way that is good to know right out of the box, now he won't be tempted to get any help from them. In other words Chuck can just barrel on through with he and the Presidents plan, whatever that is.

I say there will be some serious defense department cuts.

I don't think Chuck Hagel is anyone's patsy

[patrice]

1. Cuts that will respect the rights of Veterans and enlisted, that is. Vote Vets IS it's own thing. nt

[pinboy3niner]

2. Finally, a grunt for SecDef

And an enlisted man, to boot. Someone who will make inroads against the MIC--while looking out for the the troops.

[patrice]

5. I do know a little bit about what you're referring to, so I agree with great hope.

Multi-services-military family here and I was in an air-refueling group (a highly decorated one even in competitions with regular air force) for 10 years and have tech-schooled for several months at a stretch with ALL branches, including lifer Marines from East LA.

I don't always agree with a lot of stuff about the military, but I DO understand it.

[TwilightGardener]

3. They're already trying to steer him into cutting into pay and benefits--

(last few paragraphs, they touch on Tricare especially, which is dear to my heart as a retiree's spouse). I hope he can resist this sort of thinking.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/mapping-out-a-budget-for-hagel/2013/02/25/3a535b5a-7d29-11e2-a044-676856536b40_story.html

[madokie]

4. Chuck has been there

he knows. I feel I'm in good hands on that front now that he's been confirmed.
He likes us regular janes and joes too and that matters.