"identify which posts currently filled by the military might be delivered as effectively as a civilian … military posts should be limited to those requiring specific military skills and experience"
And of course, come the day that those posts are required in theatre what will happen? We either can't deploy civvies because it's too dangerous or we will have to hike their pay to such levels that it becomes unaffordable. I remember having arguments with Bosses back in the UK who wanted a capabilty improving and unreliability issues resolved, but refused to send the contractors who serviced and fixed the kit out to Theatre because of both the afformentioned reasons. We ended up going round in circles for weeks with the contractors telling use we couldn't do anything to the kit (even thought it was u/s), whilst simultaneously negotiating some no doubt eye watering contractual ammendment before they would fly out to Theatre.
When will these clowns realise that yes, defence like all insurance is expensive, but doing it on the cheap is dangerous. Keep going at this rate, and Defence will be nothing more than a cross between slightly agressive camping and the Home Guard. I'm sure Mr Slater is very good at reading the bottom line on a balance sheet, but probably far less understanding of the concept that Defence's bottom line is about slightly more intangible issues such as brining home the same number of people from an op that you went out with.
Then again, that probably isn't too much of an issue for unelected officials whose biggest worry is whether or not the 0733 from some green and leafy suburb is running on time.