Was this article written pre-2001? When was the last peacetime?
Between actions, the military are forced to scale way down. The experienced commanders (generals and colonels) retire and others are promoted. The "new" guys have their politics and favorites. Some are absolutely atrocious and get our men killed due to their egos. Of course, this has happened throughout US history.
I haven't read much on the Vietnam War (because it is still too painful), but read Haberstam's The Coldest Winter and (not the same author) The "Something?"Summer (can't remember the adjective but it's about the first summer of the Korean War) to get an idea what happens to equipment and experienced military personnel and our military in general when downsizing.
Our country and our military deserve better than this.
The link below is to a peice about an air strike on Iran. Still, in the context of where this thread has gone, I found this relevant.
"The IAF has a full-sized unmanned plane, the “Eitan,” that is said to be able to fly to Iran, the report indicated. “This plane can do all that is required of it when the order is given,” a pilot said, without elaboration."
