AUSN met with the Office of Representative Randy Forbes (R-VA-04) a few weeks ago to talk about the looming budget cuts, coupled with sequestration, to the Department of Defense (DOD) and the disastrous effects it would have upon our national defense, service members and their families.  These cuts will produce mass force reductions leaving many Sailors and Marines without a job as well as decreasing the overall size and strength of our Navy, with the possibility of a fleet of less than 230 ships!  At the same time, Sailors currently serving will see a drastic increase in the length of time spent away from their homeport, further adding to the stress these men, women, and their families have to endure.

To address this issue, Representative Forbes and other members of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) will be conducting oversight visits of multiple local military installations beginning with Hampton Roads, VA on 14 May 2012 and 15 May 2012.  There will also be a “Defending Our Defenders” listening session on the evening of May 14, beginning at 6:30pm (doors open at 5:30pm), at the Chesapeake Conference Center that will discuss the impact of these defense cuts and sequestration.   This session will be a town hall-style forum and will include a moderated “open mic” to allow participants to voice opinions, share stories, and ask pertinent questions on how the defense cuts and sequestration will impact their communities.  This event is open to the general public allowing any veteran, concerned citizen, or military retiree to attend. 

We encourage all our AUSN members in the area to attend at this very informative session. This event needs to have representation from individuals who can credibly and effectively articulate on these defense issues.  This session provides an opportunity that you will not want to miss out on and will be a venue for you to express your opinions, fight for our Navy, and let Congress know that they need to act. Additional listening sessions are currently being scheduled and will be announced through the Capitol Hill Blog as they are scheduled.

To see the event invitation, please click here.  RSVP to this event, please click here. 

Please continue to contact your Representatives and Senators and voice your concerns by using our Contact Congress feature and help get the word out.  This is an ALL HANDS ON DECK effort and your grassroots advocacy will help make the changes that need to happen!