CNO Greenert: 7-month deployments 'achievable and sustainable'

[nitpicker]

http://www.navytimes.com/article/20141022/NEWS/310220075/CNO-Greenert-7-month-deployments-achievable-sustainable-

CNO Greenert: 7-month deployments 'achievable and sustainable'
Oct. 22, 2014 - 07:27PM |
By Lance M. Bacon
Staff writer

The Navy’s top admiral said he wants to bring deployments down to a seven-month standard — a call that stands in stark contrast to recent deployment lengths.
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The four-star said lengthy eight-month deployments are no longer sustainable, and seven-month deployments are achievable.
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Three key factors threaten any hope of shorter and predictable deployments.

First, the Army and Air Force have a diminishing number of regional forces to address operational requirements in Europe and the Middle East, which places a greater burden on the blue-green team.

A second challenge to shorter and predictable deployments is that many ships are out of the fight as the Navy strives to catch up on long overdue maintenance. (snip) In addition, the Navy will have eliminated all its frigates by this time next year, which begs the question: Who will cover these missions?
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The third challenge centers on funding. The Pentagon must cut $1.3 trillion from defense over 10 years, but has not reduced requirements on the force.
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