An Obama administration decision to exempt military personnel programs from potential across-the-board budget cuts in January does not mean troops and their families would feel no impact from the budget process known as sequestration.

Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter warned of potential widespread effects.

For service members, retirees and families, Carter warned, reductions in health care funding would result in “delays in payments to service providers and, potentially, some denial of service” under the Tricare health care program.

Reductions in operating funds also would result in reduced operating hours for commissaries, and Carter warned that cuts in construction and maintenance funds would lead to delays in new construction and in repairs for existing buildings, including schools and medical centers.Click here to read more

090327-N-6357K-023 SAN DIEGO, Calif. (March 27, 2009) Military Construction Project 401 (MILCON P-401) Stakeholders break ground on the five year $139 million fuel facility replacement at Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP) Loma at Naval Base Point Loma. DFSP Point Loma is the only defense fuel facility in the Southern California region, providing fleet assets and airfields annually with fuel valued at $500M. Hering addressed the significance of this new facility to the region and the Navy. Military Construction Project 401 will construct six 125,000-barrel fuel storage tanks, associated piping, facility pump house, and a fuel oil reclamation facility at DFSP Point Loma, with an option to install two additional tanks. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Yan M. Kennon/Released) Photo by U.S. Navy Photographer

MCC Yan M. Kennon