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February 1, 2013

News for Reservists

Top Story

Report shows steep drop in defense spending
Figures released by the Commerce Department show that Pentagon spending decreased 22% in the last three months of 2012, the biggest decline in defense spending since 1972, when the Vietnam War was ending. "This reflects anxiety over the [sequestration] cuts but also a general downturn in defense that's been expected," said Kevin Brancato, an analyst at Bloomberg Government. Bloomberg (1/31)

In the Pentagon

Defense cuts threaten alliance, NATO chief says
If NATO countries continue cutting defense budgets, NATO's power will be weakened and safety threatened, warned Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the organization's secretary-general, in a report this week. Rasmussen wants members of the alliance to keep budgets steady this year and warns that while NATO nations are shrinking their defense spending, emerging powers are increasing their military investment. Reuters (1/30)

Number of U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan hit 4-year low in January
Three U.S. service members were killed in Afghanistan in January, which is the lowest death total of any month since December 2008. Thirty Americans have been killed in Afghanistan in the past three months, the lowest for a three-month span since early 2009. Air Force Times (free registration)/The Associated Press (1/31)

On the Hill

Sequester looms even as Congress suspends debt limit
With Congress having approved a measure suspending the nation's debt ceiling, some lawmakers are turning their attention to averting the sequestration cuts scheduled to hit March 1. A proposal backed by Democrats could be introduced next week at a party retreat, and Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., is working on a separate proposal to replace sequestration. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (1/31)

Reserve Strength

Air Force structure changes will affect Reserve
Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard officials have agreed on a force-restructuring plan authorized by the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. The plan involves the creation of multiple Air Force Reserve units and identifies various aircraft that will be retired. Air Force Link (1/25)

Colo. to get new Army Reserve Center
The Coloradoan (Fort Collins, Colo.) (tiered subscription model) (2/1)

Reserve Life

Sleep disorders common among service members, researchers say
The majority of military of service members in a study at Madigan Army Medical Center in Washington state exhibited symptoms of sleep disorders, researchers say. Fifty-one percent of study participants had obstructive sleep apnea, while 25% had insomnia. United Press International (1/31)

SmartQuote

Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat."

--F. Scott Fitzgerald,
American author

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