Title IV 

Military Personnel Authorizations

A Active Forces

 

401. End strengths for active forces

The Armed Forces are authorized strengths for active duty personnel as of September 30, 2016, as follows:

 

(1) The Army, 475,000.

(2) The Navy, 329,200.

(3) The Marine Corps, 184,000.

(4) The Air Force, 317,000.

 

Total for this section: $1,305,200  Stated as  one million, three hundred and five thousand and two hundred dollars US.

 

B  Reserve Forces

 

411. End strengths for Selected Reserve

 

(a) In general

The Armed Forces are authorized strengths for Selected Reserve personnel of the reserve components as of September 30, 2016, as follows:

 

(1) The Army National Guard of the United States, 342,000.

(2) The Army Reserve, 198,000.

(3) The Navy Reserve, 57,400.

(4) The Marine Corps Reserve, 38,900.

(5) The Air National Guard of the United States, 105,500.

(6) The Air Force Reserve, 69,200.

(7) The Coast Guard Reserve, 7,000.

 

Total: $817,500  Stated as eight hundred seventeen thousand and five hundred dollars US.

 

(b) End strength reductions

The end strengths prescribed by subsection (a) for the Selected Reserve of any reserve component shall be proportionately reduced by—

 

(1) the total authorized strength of units organized to serve as units of the Selected Reserve of such component which are on active duty (other than for training) at the end of the fiscal year; and

 

(2) the total number of individual members not in units organized to serve as units of the Selected Reserve of such component who are on active duty (other than for training or for unsatisfactory participation in training) without their consent at the end of the fiscal year.

 

(c) End strength increases

Whenever units or individual members of the Selected Reserve for any reserve component are released from active duty during any fiscal year, the end strength prescribed for such fiscal year for the Selected Reserve of such reserve component shall be increased proportionately by the total authorized strengths of such units and by the total number of such individual members.

 

412. End strengths for reserves on active duty in support of the reserves

Within the end strengths prescribed in section 411(a), the reserve components of the Armed Forces are authorized, as of September 30, 2016, the following number of Reserves to be serving on full-time active duty or full-time duty, in the case of members of the National Guard, for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the reserve components:

 

(1) The Army National Guard of the United States, 30,770.

(2) The Army Reserve, 16,261.

(3) The Navy Reserve, 9,934.

(4) The Marine Corps Reserve, 2,260.

(5) The Air National Guard of the United States, 14,748.

(6) The Air Force Reserve, 3,032.

 

Total: $77,005  Stated as seventy-seven thousand and  five dollars US.

 

413. End strengths for military technicians (dual status)

The minimum number of military technicians (dual status) as of the last day of fiscal year 2016 for the reserve components of the Army and the Air Force (notwithstanding section 129 of title 10, United States Code) shall be the following:

 

(1) For the Army National Guard of the United States, 26,099.

(2) For the Army Reserve, 7,395.

(3) For the Air National Guard of the United States, 22,104.

(4) For the Air Force Reserve, 9,814.

 

Total: $55,598  Stated as fifty-five thousand and five hundred ninety-eight dollars US.

 

414. Fiscal year 2016 limitation on number of non-dual status technicians

 

(a) Limitations

 

(1) National guard

Within the limitation provided in section 10217(c)(2) of title 10, United States Code, the number of non-dual status technicians employed by the National Guard as of September 30, 2016, may not exceed the following:

 

(A) For the Army National Guard of the United States, 1,600.

(B) For the Air National Guard of the United States, 350.

 

Total: $1,950  Stated as one thousand, nine hundred and fifty dollars US. 

 

(2) Army reserve

The number of non-dual status technicians employed by the Army Reserve as of September 30, 2016, may not exceed 595.

 

(3) Air force reserve

The number of non-dual status technicians employed by the Air Force Reserve as of September 30, 2016, may not exceed 90.

 

(b) Non-Dual status technicians defined

In this section, the term non-dual status technician has the meaning given that term in section 10217(a) of title 10, United States Code.

 

415. Maximum number of reserve personnel authorized to be on active duty for operational support

During fiscal year 2016, the maximum number of members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who may be serving at any time on full-time operational support duty under section 115(b) of title 10, United States Code, is the following:

 

(1) The Army National Guard of the United States, 17,000.

(2) The Army Reserve, 13,000.

(3) The Navy Reserve, 6,200.

(4) The Marine Corps Reserve, 3,000.

(5) The Air National Guard of the United States, 16,000.

(6) The Air Force Reserve, 14,000.

 

Total:  $69,200  Stated as sixty-nine and two hundred dollars US.

 

Overall total for this section: $2,326,453  Stated as two million, three hundred twenty-six thousand and four hundred fifty-three dollars US.

Vice President Joe Biden decides it is too late to enter a campaign for 2016. He continue to serve this country proudly through his profoundly unique work through the "Middle Class Task Force." (click here)

 



I wish him a full filling future. He will be exceptionally important to his family. We'll miss him, but, I am sure he'll check in every once in awhile. He should never stop speaking out on behalf of the Middle Class; there simply isn't anyone as qualified to do that.

Title III

Operation and Maintenance

301. Operation and maintenance funding

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for the use of the Armed Forces and other activities and agencies of the Department of Defense for expenses, not otherwise provided for, for operation and maintenance, in amounts as follows:

(1) For the Army, $35,107,546,000.

(2) For the Navy, $42,200,756,000. 

(3) For the Marine Corps, $6,228,782,000.

(4) For the Air Force, $38,191,929,000. 

(5) For Defense-wide activities, $32,440,843,000.

Total: $154,169,856,000. Stated as one hundred fifty-four billion, one hundred sixty-nine million and eight hundred fifty-six thousand dollars US.

 

(6) For the Army Reserve, $2,665,792,000. 

(7) For the Navy Reserve, $1,001,758,000.

(8) For the Marine Corps Reserve, $277,036,000. 

(9) For the Air Force Reserve, $3,064,257,000.

(10) For the Army National Guard, $6,717,977,000. 

Total: $13,726,820,000 Stated as thirteen billion, seven hundred twenty-six and eight hundred twenty thousand dollars US.

(11) For the Air National Guard, $6,956,210,000.

(12) For the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, $14,078,000. 

(13) For the Department of Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Fund, $84,140,000.

(14) For Environmental Restoration, Army, $234,829,000. 

(15) For Environmental Restoration, Navy, $292,453,000.

Total: $7,581,710,000  Stated as seven billion, five hundred eight-one million and seven hundred ten thousand dollars US.

(16) For Environmental Restoration, Air Force, $368,131,000. 

(17) For Environmental Restoration, Defense-wide, $8,232,000.

(18) For Environmental Restoration, Formerly Used Defense Sites, $203,717,000. 

(19) For Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid programs, $100,266,000.

(20) For Cooperative Threat Reduction programs, $358,496,000.

 

Total: $1,038,842,000  Stated as one billion, thirty-eight million and eight hundred forty-two thousand dollars US.

Complete Total for this section: $176,517,228,000

Continued in next entry.

Part of the issue with any Defense Spending is the diffuse understanding the American people have. They don't understand it.

I'll go so far as to say many of the enlisted troops don't even understand it. They understand their paychecks and the impact on their families, but, they don't necessary understand the military and the branch where they work. And that is how the soldiers consider their lives; it is their means of work and way of life. What has to enter into budgeting is the quality of life of the soldier and her/his family. This is the only method of work where the job requirement involves deadly outcomes.

MISTAKES ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN. Mistakes are a real measure of adverse outcomes.

Our soldiers regardless of the branch of the military should understand their work and be afforded every effort to protect their lives.

Survivability of any defensive battle insures the victory of the outcome. "Last man standing" is a failed defense effort and calls in into question what exactly the country is willing to call a victory.

Title II (This section is about research and development. My understanding of development includes testing and evaluation. If the Secretary and/or the US House wants to list testing and evaluation separately it means there is a different definition I am not familiar with. It may be legitimate, but, there should be definitions included with the bill.)

I DO NOT FIND DEFINTIONS ANYWHERE.
I might need new eyeglasses and it is the time of year for a vision check up, but, I doubt it is my eyeglasses. There needs to be an added section with definitions. Without that section there is deception of the public.

Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation

201. Authorization of appropriations

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for the use of the Department of Defense for research, development, test, and evaluation as follows:

(1) For the Army, $6,924,959,000.
(2) For the Navy, $17,885,916,000.
(3) For the Air Force, $26,473,669,000.
(4) For Defense-wide activities, $18,329,861,000.
(5) For the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, $170,558,000.

The total is $69,754,963,000. Stated as sixty nine billion, seven hundred fifty-four million and nine hundred sixty-three thousand dollars US.

202. Repeal of requirement for initial operating capability of a conventional long-range standoff weapon before retirement of the conventionally Armed AGM–86 Missile

Section 217(a)(1) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 706) (click here) is amended—

Sec. 217. Long-range standoff weapon requirement; prohibition on availability of funds for noncompetitive procedures for offensive anti-surface warfare weapon contracts of the Navy

(1) by striking subparagraph (A);

(a) LONG-RANGE STANDOFF WEAPON.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Air Force shall develop a follow-on air-launched cruise missile to the AGM– 86 that—
(A) achieves initial operating capability for conventional missions prior to the retirement of the conventionally armed AGM–86;

(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking and;

(B) achieves initial operating capability for nuclear missions prior to the retirement of the nuclear-armed AGM–86; and

(3) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (A); and

(A) achieves initial operating capability for nuclear missions prior to the retirement of the nuclear-armed AGM–86;

(4) by inserting after subparagraph (A), as so redesignated, the following new subparagraph (B):

(B) is capable of being modified to carry a conventional warhead; and

New Paragraph:

(a) LONG-RANGE STANDOFF WEAPON.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Air Force shall develop a follow-on air-launched cruise missile to the AGM– 86 that—
(A) achieves initial operating capability for nuclear missions prior to the retirement of the nuclear-armed AGM–86;
(B) is capable of being modified to carry a conventional warhead; and

(C) is capable of internal carriage and employment for both conventional and nuclear missions on the next- generation long-range strike bomber.

Continued in next entry.

As per usual the USA House cannot pass a bill the President can sign.

H.R. 1735: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (click here)

I strongly suggest the USA House break down the National Defense Authorization Act into parts that the President will sign.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 is a comprehensive defense spending bill. At almost 1,000 pages long it will direct funding for procurement, research, and operation of defense technology, establish military policy, and address other matters pertaining to national defense. It has been passed by the House with 19 amendments, and is currently being reviewed by the Senate with 333 amendments proposed.

Unfortunately GovTrack does not have the staff to summarize the contents of the whole bill and all proposed amendments. We have instead included summaries of recent amendments agreed to and rejected on June 4.

I Procurement

101 Army (This section deals with the costs of only the Army)

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for procurement for the Army as follows:

(1)For aircraft, $5,689,357,000.

(2)For missiles, $1,419,957,000.

(3)For weapons and tracked combat vehicles, $1,887,073,000.

(4)For ammunition, $1,233,378,000.

(5)For other procurement, $5,899,028,000.

That is a total of  $16,128,799,000. It reads sixteen billion, one hundred twenty eight million and seven hundred ninety-nine thousand dollars US. The US Army's budget is the branch of government that occupies foreign land.

102. (This section deals with only the cost of the Navy and Marine Crops

Navy and Marine Corps)

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for procurement for the Navy and Marine Corps as follows:

(1)For aircraft, $16,126,405,000.

(2)For weapons, including missiles and torpedoes, $3,154,154,000.

(3)For ammunition procurement, Navy and Marine Corps, $723,741,000.

(4)For shipbuilding and conversion, $16,597,457,000.

(5)For other procurement, $6,614,715,000.

The Marine Corps does the heavy lifting. They go in first and may be accompanied by Naval and/or Air Force support. When the Marines complete their work, the USA Army follows.

(6)For procurement, Marine Corps, $1,131,418,000.

That is a total of $44,347,890,000. That reads forty-four billion, three hundred forty-seven million, eight hundred and ninety thousand dollars US.

103. Air Force (The section deals with only the cost of the Air Force.)

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for procurement for the Air Force as follows:

(1) For aircraft, $15,657,769,000.

(2) For missiles, $2,987,045,000.

(3) For space procurement, $2,584,061,000.

(4) For ammunition, $1,758,843,000.

(5) For other procurement, $18,272,438,000.

This is a total of  $41,260.145.000. It reads forty-one billion, two hundred sixty million and one hundred forty-five thousand dollars US.

104. (This section could easily be called miscellaneous)

Defense-wide activities

Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 for Defense-wide procurement in the amount of $5,130,853,000.

That reads five billion, one hundred thirty million and eight hundred fifty-three thousand dollars US.

The overall total is $106,867,687,000. That reads one hundred billion, eight hundred sixty-seven million and six hundred eighty-seven dollars US. The costs are rounded to the hundred thousands.

This is the website where the public can begin to understand the US Military Defense Procurement Process.

The Director of Defense Pricing (click here) reports to the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) (USD(AT&L)) but is supported by the Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy office.

Vision Acquisition excellence through leadership with integrity.

Mission Enable the Components to effectively deliver goods and services that meet the needs of the warfighter, while ensuring a business deal that is in the best interests of the tax payer by overseeing and implementing the OSD Better Buying Power Initiatives, formulating and overseeing complex, DOD-wide pricing policies and strategies supporting the procurement of major defense system programs, major automated information systems and service acquisitions for the Department.

If one recalls the Procurement Process has come under scrutiny for it's inefficiency since President Obama took office.

105. Multiyear procurement authority for Standard Missile-3 Block IB guided missiles 

Most of this is self explanatory and can be viewed on public sites. It says the section of the law where multi-year procurement can be found and then states what it is that will REQUIRE multi-year procurement.

(a) Authority for multiyear procurement

Subject to section 2306b of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of Defense may enter into one or more multiyear contracts, beginning with the fiscal year 2016 program year, for the procurement of Standard Missile-3 Block IB guided missiles.

(b) Authority for advance procurement

The Secretary may enter into one or more contracts for advance procurement associated with the SM–3 Block IB missiles for which authorization to enter into a multiyear procurement contract is provided under subsection (a).

(c) Condition for out-Year contract payments

A contract entered into under subsection (a) shall provide that any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2016 is subject to the availability of appropriations for that purpose for such later fiscal year.

106. Availability of Air Force procurement funds for certain commercial-off-the-shelf parts for intercontinental ballistic missile fuzes(click here)

(a) Availability of procurement funds

Notwithstanding section 1502(a) of title 31, United States Code, of the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016 by section 103 for Missile Procurement, Air Force, $13,700,000 shall be available for the procurement of covered parts pursuant to contracts entered into under section 1645 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. Buck McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. YYY).

(b) Covered parts defined

In this section, the term covered parts has the meaning given that term in section 1645(c) of such Act.

SM-3® is a defensive weapon (click here) used by the U.S. Navy to destroy short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. This "hit-to-kill" missile interceptor uses an exoatmospheric "kill vehicle," to collide with targets in space, a capability that's been likened to hitting a bullet with a bullet. The massive collision of the kill vehicle hitting its target obliterates the threat completely; explosives are not necessary. The resulting impact is the equivalent of a 10-ton truck traveling at 600 mph.

Continued in next entry.

The cable stations have focused on the Mother of Sean Smith as a sympathetic face to defame the former Secretary. Laws that protect privacy only recognize the immediate next of kin in relation to information.

This is nothing but political character assassination.

END OF DISCUSSION,

The report from the Benghazi Commission spells out everything including the fact that all the possible protections were in place and the policies of the time didn't provide for a contingency to the State Department. It is already decided.

Mr. Smith's mother has no legitimate claim to the former Secretary's time.

The former Secretary has no legitimate capacity to address anyone else with confidential information than the next of kin.

The cable stations are practicing defamation of character. It is obvious. And at every turn. It is hate.

The "Goldilocks" candidate for Speaker of the US House.

John Boehner should have been so lucky to hold the US House hostage to good behavior. 

Paul Ryan needs to keep his chairmanship. He is already too compromised to become Speaker. The ONLY way forward is for the new Speaker to surrender completely to "The Freedom Caucus" and demand all other Republicans to do the same. 

Of course, the Democrats and the President have to be agreeable as well. It would be preferable for them to get on their knees to clearly illustrate their subversion to the new American reality. 

The new House Speaker has to dissolve the Hastert (click here) Rule and carry out Regular Order. 

John Boehner's gavel was most impressive in it's size, however, he never realized it's sincere power in that weighty wood. The question remains, "Will the House Speaker ever learn the power of "Sargent at Arms?" There is nothing like the historic meaning of language.

October 20, 2015
By Linda Valdez

Harry Reid (click here) just gave Paul Ryan an unwelcome endorsement for speaker.
The Democratic leader offered his surprise backing for Ryan (R-Wis.) to assume the House speakership, saying he hopes Ryan runs and wins the job because he's a "Paul Ryan fan."
"He appears to me to be one of the people over there that would be reasonable. I mean look at some of the other people," Reid said. "I don't agree with him on much of what he does. I think what he's done with Medicare and Medicaid, what he's wanted to do I disagree with. But generally speaking we've been able to work with him."
Indeed, Ryan's work with Reid lieutenant Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) on a two-year budget deal in 2013 remains a bipartisan highlight for a Congress otherwise beset by gridlock. But did Reid hurt Ryan by praising him?
The Nevada Democrat shrugged when asked if he was giving Ryan a kiss of death as the Wisconsin lawmaker weighs a speakers bid amid ever-growing criticism from the right for his policy positions. (Later Tuesday, Ryan said he would serve as speaker if the caucus unites behind him.)
"I just speak the truth," Reid said. "If it helps him fine, if it doesn't that's too bad."

The United Nations needs to work with Russia to bring the refugees home in tme.

Assad never smiles. Not like that.

Russia will stabilize Syria. I have no doubt about that. That is Foreign Minister Lavrov in background to the right. I can't really say who is over President Putin's shoulder, but, probably Prime Minister Medvedev. This was a very big meeting for Moscow.

I am sure President Putin and his administration has a sincere understanding of the need for leadership in Syria that has the loyalty of all ethnic nations in Syria. No one wants the old Syria back. Syria's leadership needs to be inclusive. 

October 21, 2015
By Andrew Osborn 

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (click here) flew to Moscow on Tuesday evening to personally thank Russia's Vladimir Putin for his military support, in a surprise visit that underlined how Russia has become a major player in the Middle East.
It was Assad's first foreign trip since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011, and came three weeks after Russia launched a campaign of air strikes against Islamist militants in Syria that has also bolstered Assad's forces.
The Kremlin kept the visit quiet until Wednesday morning, broadcasting a meeting between the two men in the Kremlin and releasing a transcript of an exchange they had. It did not say whether the Syrian leader was still in Moscow or had returned home.
Putin said he hoped progress on the military front would be followed by moves towards a political solution in Syria, bolstering Western hopes Moscow will use its increased influence on Damascus to cajole Assad into talking to his opponents....

The Arab Coalition which includes the USA came to an agreement with Russia for the instability in Syria.

20 October 2015

Russia and the US (click here) have signed an agreement regulating the operations of the two countries' air forces in Syria. The deal is aimed at preventing incidents and providing for the smooth operation of the two nations' aircraft, and for mutual aid in critical situations.

The agreement, whose full name is "The Memorandum of Mutual Understanding between the Defense Ministries of Russia and the United States on preventing incidents and providing for aviation flights during operations in Syria" is hailed as a 'positive step', the Russian Defense Ministry said in a press release.

The document "has important practical value. It regulates the actions of manned and unmanned aircraft in the airspace above Syria. The Memorandum contains a set of rules and limitations aimed at preventing incidents between the air forces of Russia and the US," the Defense Ministry says....

The Syrian people are still seeing the attacks as a civil war with President Assad. President Assad has to relate to all the people of Syria, not simply the Alawites. 

20 October 2016
By AFP

Tens of thousands (click here) have fled new regime offensives in Syria, according to the UN, as the total number of casualties from Russian airstrikes so far was reported to have reached 370, many of them civilians.
With the Russian bombing campaign now in its fourth week, Moscow and Washington announced on Tuesday that they had agreed to measures to ensure air safety over Syria, where a US-led coalition is also carrying out strikes.
The exodus was focused south of second city Aleppo, one of five areas where loyalist forces have launched offensives since Russia began its air war on 30 September.
“Around 35,000 people are reported to have been displaced from ... the south-western outskirts of Aleppo city, following government offensives,” said Vanessa Huguenin, spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.... 

The peculiar aspect of the Syrian Civil War is the number of players in the country. Some are long standing and are Shia and some are newly empowered in Daesh. The Syrian people are caught in the middle of this war and they see any attack as one which the Assad forces are carrying out against them. The people on the ground do not understand what they are caught up in. They only understand the violence and the dead. They are far better off leaving and they do. 

If this damn civil war ever ends, the children are going to need a great deal of assurances, peace and an understanding they are important through education and the promise of a future. The Syrian children don't understand the future. Children live for the future and these children are completely void of their understanding of themselves. They are more vulnerable to becoming child soldiers than any other children in the Middle East. 

I am not surprised Hillary Clinton improved her favorable numbers.

The Benghazi Committee is an arm of the GOP.

For many of the same reasons people in the USA are looking for new leadership is also Canada'a change in leadership.

The need for change is felt in Canada as well as the USA. This change in Canada began in May of this year with the win of Rachel Notley (click here) in Alberta. From that moment forward Canada found it necessary to throw the bums out.

TAXES

...Trudeau (click here) has pledged to hike taxes for Canada's top 1% of earners and cut taxes for the middle class, although he has been vague on how he defines middle class. According to Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper, those who earn over $200,000 will see their taxes go up by about 4% under his plan....