"Belts and Suspenders"

13 October 2002

Secretary Rumsfeld said this weekend that "the military's traditional war-fighting requirements [are] bound by a history of duplication-'belts and suspenders.'" He wants to eliminate that duplication for a better kill ratio.

Not a bad idea, if one is thinking about a company that only makes pharmaceuticals or oil drilling support equipment, instead of one that creates soldiers and security by blowing things up and sometimes taking losses in the process. This observation doesn't change the fact that we -- the Pentagon bureaucracy -- should strive for 100% accountability of the taxpayer's investment. Period.

But you gotta love Rummy.

He sits in the Pentagon, surrounded by a larger political staff than ever before. And there were public complaints about the growing number of Clinton appointees in the Pentagon long before Monica was assigned down in PA.

By November 2000, Pentagon Spokesman Ken Bacon reported 43 presidential appointee positions (39 filled), 72 non-career senior executive service, and 105 Schedule C (Senate confirmation not required) in grades GS-15 and below.

Schedule C's are particularly interesting, because Congress doesn't see them. We've seen plenty, though, in three identifiable phases. First phase was normal and routine -- all pre-existent Sched C's were filled with friends of the Bush Administration. It's called civilian control of the military, and we like it just fine.

Next, a number of contractor and consultant positions were identified and converted to Sched C. Not-for-profit companies like Anser and MITRE saw some of their billets eliminated, not to streamline, but to create Sched C's. And fast. A guy I knew got a two weeks notice, but I heard his boss was able to extend that to 45 days or so.

Third phase is ongoing. A lot of Sched C's wannabes wait in the wings, under personal service contracts. I have talked to guys who are on six-month contracts and nine-month contracts as they wait for "my Sched C to come through."

Duplication and stuffed shirts. Lawyers and neocon politicos. Arrogance and entitlement.

Damn!! Rummy is right again! It really is all about "belts and suspenders" now!

Now about that kill ratio … Where is McNamara when you need him!