SCMR Silence

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today threw cold water on the idea that the Pentagon might publicly detail the findings of its Strategic Choices and Management Review.

“There will be no roll-out of any grand plan on this,” Hagel told reporters.

He said he is still assessing the work of the review, which was set up to inform DOD’s fiscal guidance for fiscal years 2015 to 2019. The aim was to determine how to live with further sequestration in the event there is no alternative, Hagel said.

“So that's what it was about. This is not a plan. It was exactly what the title implies -- Strategic Choices and Management Review," he said.

The review involved DOD’s uniformed and civilian leaders and was managed by Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, working with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey. “They were right on time . . . with their numbers when they came in,” Hagel said.

“All of our uniformed and civilian leadership was involved, top to bottom, which I wanted,” he added. “We looked at everything. And based on those numbers, based on those assessments, based on those possibilities and different scenarios, then that will inform our leadership as to how we prepare for next year's budget as we present it in early 2014 for 2015.”

“But also, in the event that we're going to be living with sequestration, then . . . I can't do anything else, nor can the leadership, but try to get ahead of this and prepare,” Hagel added.