With every president elected, there comes a set of assumptions.
These are often based on campaign rhetoric, or his choices for key cabinet and advisory positions.
In the case of our new president, Donald Trump, the assumption was he was pro defense and would focus a good deal of attention on the military.
Historically, that position would be considered good for Red River Army Depot, Texarkana and the region. And in this early stage of his presidency, there is every indication this is still
the case.
But President Trump sent shockwaves through the military support system
when, in late January, he ordered a freeze on federal hiring. Military men and women are exempt, but civilian employees are not-or at least that's the initial
fear.
This has potential to impact the workforce at Red River and potentially impede mission demands. A good portion of RRAD's labor pool is contracted. When a contract is fulfilled will it be
renewed?
Officials in and around Texarkana are scrambling to clarify exactly what the freeze entails, and to undertake lobbying efforts to make sure key officials in Washington understand the implications of freezing these positions as it relates to Red River being able to satisfy mission
demands.
Of course, every other town that supports a military base is doing the same
thing.
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the House Armed Services Committee's top
Democrat, said the freeze flies in the face of Trump's promise to rebuild the military. He used Red River Army Depot as an example of
the potential impact.
"The effects of this order will be widespread," he said, as reported by The Hill. "For example, at Red River Army Depot in Texas, 678 direct labor and 55 indirect labor term and temporary workers are about to be
laid off."
That's somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 percent of the Depot's workforce. If that were to happen, it would not ripple through the region in a positive way. It would not go unnoticed.
But at this point, it is too early to tell. There is plenty of political posturing going on and it will be some time before tangible consequences emerge.
All this angst comes on the heels of an executive order Trump signed a week ago Friday as part of his pledge to rebuild the military. It calls for a 30-day readiness review to assess practically all aspects of defense operations, including maintenance, munitions and infrastructure. Defense Secretary James Mattis' office will do this review. It was also charged with completing a readiness review for fiscal 2019 in the next
60 days.
Additionally, Trump's order calls for a budget amendment to increase military spending this year and next.
So can a president rebuild the military and freeze support wages?
Absolutely. Some missions can be reduced, some expanded. There can be overall gain and sectional loss. Technical advances can reduce employment numbers. A president, no matter how hawkish, can establish priorities that will hurt one place and help the next.
And being pro defense doesn't necessarily translate to expanding the status quo.
There is no doubt defense operations are fat in some areas and could be down-
sized. Washington's own studies have said as much and in no uncertain
terms.
Over the years, state and local officials have had to defend the depot's value many times when the Pentagon decided RRAD's mission didn't align with Department of Defense goals. And time after time officials looking out for our interests have convinced the DoD to back down.
It's a never-ending battle, but fortunately the work that is done at Red River Army Depot is both relevant and cost effective.
Despite this latest news, it is too early to tell how this administration's vision of "peace through strength" will play out for the many workers at Red River Army Depot and the communities that support them.
But it is fair to say that decrees painted in broad strokes, as is Trump's wont, can have unforeseen consequences. Clarity and some consideration to mission success must eventually be factored in. Soon enough, hopefully, the powers that be will bore down deeper and make surgical decisions rather than dealing in rough-cut abstractions.
That Trump wants to dive in is consistent with his campaign message. But it is the devilish details that folks back home must first ponder, and then possibly
deal with.