Since 9.11, the US military has boarded up its resources, enabling it to wage wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and the global war on terror. Now a carefully crafted plan announced on Monday at the Pentagon, the military says it will scale back to force levels not seen since before World War II. 

 

We must now adopt, innovate and make difficult decisions to ensure that our military remains ready and capable. 

 

The details the army will reduce its forces from a high of 570,000 to around 450,000 troops. The marine corps will cut its forces by 8,000 or about 4%, and the elimination of the 8/10 ? which would save 3.5 billion dollars over 5 years.

 

A recommendation favors a smaller and more capable  force, but in a premium, unrapidly deployable self-sustained platforms can defeat more technologically advanced ?.

 

The cuts not only reflect they are changing political ?, but also in evolution in how the military engages in its enemies. Case in point, a cyber warfare, special operations will not be impacted.

 

You are gonna conduct counter-terrorism operations. They rely more heavily on great intelligence and great technology.

 

Critics argue fewer resources will leave the US more vulnerable to attacks at home and abroad. Hagel recognizes these cuts do not come without uncertainty.

 

Our future force will assume additional risk in certain areas.

 

The Pentagon will present its plan to Congress next week. In Washington, I'm Karin Caifa.

 

We don't get many snow days here in the south. We don't get much snow. I remember Saturday school wants to make up for a winter storm we did gift, but after a particularly brutal snow storming  winter, this is an issue that a lot of schools from the midwest to the east coast to deal with. How do you fulfill a typical 180-day school year with so many days off from school? Here is our colleague from CNN. com, Jenny ?.

 

Hey Carl, many schools around the country are dealing with snow days in the double digits, and as much as you love them, your teachers hate them. Instead of adding days to the end of the school year or cutting spring break, some schools are trying something new-virtue school days. About 2,000 students from ? regional high school, the district in New Jersey, tried this month after snow days pile down. By 8 am students were required to crack open their school-provided laptops, so they can participate in English class discussions, finish up their ? problems or ask teachers questions. Don't think it was just a little extra homework. All the students to break to shuffle snow or make lunch. Most said it took them until 3 pm to finish up all their assignments, and yes, this ? their ? graves. No word yet on whether the New Jersey Department of Eduction will count ? regional virtue day as a full day of school, but don't think you are off the hook if you don't have a computer provided by the school. With so  many snow days, teachers around the country said they are looking for ways to keep students on track while they are stuck at home. Some were asking students to have internet access to check class websites and complete their assignments even if you think you should be sleeping in and drinking hot chocolate. Thanks Carl.