"By the end of the year it ought to become clear that the Bundeswehr will become smaller, but better." This is how German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg framed his plans to cut the German army by around a third last month. A similar refrain has been taken up throughout the NATO alliance, where growing state debts are putting increasing pressure on defense budgets, but defense ministers are at pains to ensure that security is not impaired. British Defense Secretary Liam Fox said in July that possible cuts to the country's nuclear deterrent are being considered, but insisted that any budget trimming must not put Britain at risk by weakening its armed forces.
"By the end of the year it ought to become clear that the Bundeswehr will become smaller, but better." This is how German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg framed his plans to cut the German army by around a third last month.
A similar refrain has been taken up throughout the NATO alliance, where growing state debts are putting increasing pressure on defense budgets, but defense ministers are at pains to ensure that security is not impaired.
British Defense Secretary Liam Fox said in July that possible cuts to the country's nuclear deterrent are being considered, but insisted that any budget trimming must not put Britain at risk by weakening its armed forces.
budget trimming must not put Britain at risk by weakening its armed forces.
He mentioned that one of his major projects had been to root out waste in the MoD. He prepared a report of recommendations that so excited the minister that he was asked to make a presentation to the Cabinet about some of the findings. He said that some of the examples of waste were so laughable that he had them "rolling in the aisles".
He also noted that, some years after the report, none of the recommendations had been implemented in any way. keep to the Fen Causeway
The Marine Corps provided the only solid number. It spent $50 million last year on its military bands, including $10 million to support the 130 elite musicians in the Washington-based Marine Band, known as "The President's Own," whose prime mission is to provide music for the White House. The Marines have another 600 musicians in 12 bands around the country, costing $35 million, according to a Corps spokesman. There are no comparative figures available for the overall costs of military bands in the Navy and Air Force, because they are carried as expenses for subsidiary organizations spread around the country and overseas. The Army, according to a spokesman, estimates that it spends about $195 million a year on its bands, but that does not include those of the National Guard. Altogether, the Army says on its Web site that it has 5,000 musicians, describing itself as "the largest and oldest employer of musicians in the country." Based on the Marine figures, total Defense Department spending could reach $500 million or more a year.
The Marines have another 600 musicians in 12 bands around the country, costing $35 million, according to a Corps spokesman.
There are no comparative figures available for the overall costs of military bands in the Navy and Air Force, because they are carried as expenses for subsidiary organizations spread around the country and overseas.
The Army, according to a spokesman, estimates that it spends about $195 million a year on its bands, but that does not include those of the National Guard. Altogether, the Army says on its Web site that it has 5,000 musicians, describing itself as "the largest and oldest employer of musicians in the country."
Based on the Marine figures, total Defense Department spending could reach $500 million or more a year.
