This is Frank Gaffney with the Secure Freedom Minute. 

The Heritage Foundation’s new Index of U.S. Military Strength describes the alarming condition of America’s armed forces.  All of the uniformed services’ ground, naval and air forces are suffering the cumulative effects of two decades of deferred modernization, a trillion dollars in budget cuts and grinding, debilitating worldwide conflict and other power projection operations.

The book’s editor, retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Dakota Wood told me yesterday that, while our military still is made up of superb men and women, they are simply not receiving the training, the spare parts and the quantities of modern equipment needed to meet today’s threats – let alone tomorrow’s. 

Our enemies recognize this reality, even if most Americans do not.  If we fail to mobilize the resources, industrial capability and the will to reverse it, we invite – and will surely suffer the terrible consequences of – their aggression.

This is Frank Gaffney.