The Obama administration is planning to reduce the U.S. Military budget and the Pentagon’s first steps are to limit the future military pay raise, raise retiree health insurance, and realign or close military bases around the world. Will this proposal be our test to help balance the U.S. budget or will it further weaken our economy and our current military strength?

Since September 9, 2011, the United States has been engaged in three military operations.

Operation one consists of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) which primarily covers Afghanistan and other small global War on Terror countries. The second operation, (ONE), Operation Noble Eagle provides security for military bases and other protections to have a quick response to attacks.

The third operation, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) began in the fall of 2002 to reach the buildup invasion on Iraq. Recently renamed “New Dawn”, the operation is used to focus on an advisory and assistance role to U.S. troops.

“To date and combined since 9/11, the estimated price of three wars has cost American soldiers 4,483 deaths, 32,226 wounded, and a grand total cost of the Iraq war’s over $806 billion U.S. dollars,” said Elisabeth Bumiller and Thom Shanker publishers of the New York Times.

Today, the U.S. Army is currently operating at 570,000 soldiers, but with the new operations ongoing, the government plans to reduce that number to 490,000 soldiers.

Many problems arise with not only active duty soldiers but as well with the retired military. “With U.S. Military downsize, it is only a matter of time contractor employees (which withhold many retired military) of the Department of Defense and other U.S. agencies will see cuts in the departments as well,” said Daniel Medina, Retired Navy and current DoD contractor.

Most of the plans should go into effect between 2013-2017.

In addition to the downsize, administration plans to close and/or realign U.S. military bases overseas (including Germany and Italy), thus a military spending budget can be reduced.

“These cuts reflect President Obama’s vision of an America that is weakened, not strengthened, by our men and women in uniform,” said Howard P. Keon of California, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

“With the current military budget cuts, will I be affected as a current DOD Contractor? I don’t believe so because I have learned throughout my 33 years of being in the workforce to rely on self-discipline and diversity. I do believe the military budget cuts proposed by the current Administration and the pentagon have good intention provided their proposal goes as planned. Our government and the people of the United States should continue to mold what is good for Americans,” said Medina.