CNN news 2014-02-28 加文本

cnn news 2014-02-28

CARL AZUZ, cnn ANCHOR: cnn STUDENT NEWS is back in session. I`m Carl Azuz, hope your Tuesday is going well so far. First up, with U.S. combat troops out of Iraq and the war in Afghanistan winding down, the U.S. government wants to shrink its military. This could affect some of you who are planning to go into the U.S. Armed Forces. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says there are difficult decisions ahead, as the plan is to reduce the military to the size it was before World War II.

The government wants to cut costs and take advantage of modern military technology, but Congress has to approve the reduced budget, and some lawmakers may not be on board.

KARIN CAIFA, cnn CORRESPONDENT: Since 9/11 the U.S. military has bulked up its resources, enabling it to wage wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and a global war on terror. Now, in a carefully crafted plan announced Monday at the Pentagon, the military says it will scale back to force levels not seen since before World War II.

CHUCK HAGEL, DEFENSE SECRETARY: We must now adopt, innovate and make difficult decisions to ensure that our military remains ready and capable.

CAIFA: 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 four percent. And the elimination of the A-10 "Warthog" attack jet, which would save $3.5 billion over five years.

HAGEL: Our recommendations favor a smaller and more capable force. Putting a premium on rapidly deployable self-sustained platforms that can defeat more technologically advanced adversaries.

CAIFA: The cuts not only reflect a changing political climate, but also an evolution in how the military engages its enemies. Case in point, cyber warfare and special operations will not be impacted.

MAJ. GEN. JAMES "SPIDER" MARKS (RET.) cnn MILITARY ANALYST: If you`re going to conduct counter terrorism operations, it relies more heavily on great intelligence and great technology.

CAIFA: Critics argue fewer resources will leave the U.S. more vulnerable to attacks at home and abroad. Hagel recognized these cuts do not come without uncertainty.

HAGEL: Our future force will assume additional risk in certain areas.

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

AZUZ: We don`t get many snow days here in the South, we don`t get much snow. I remember Saturday school once to make up for a winter storm we did get. But after a particularly brutal snow stormy winter, this is an issue that a lot of schools from the Midwest to the East Coast are dealing with. How do you fulfill a typical 180 day school year with so many days off from school? Here`s our colleague from cnn.com Jamie Gumbrecht.

JAMIE GUMBRECHT, PRODUCER, cnn DIGITAL: Well, 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: virtual school days. About 2,000 students from Pascack Valley regional high school district in New Jersey, tried this month after snow days piled on. By 8 a.m., students were required to crack up in their school provided laptops, so they could participate in English class discussions, finish up their algebra problems or ask teachers questions. Don`t think it was just a little extra homework. Although students took breaks to shovel snow or make lunch, most said it took them until 3 p.m. to finish up all their assignments and yes, this counted toward their grades. No word yet on whether the New Jersey Department of Education will count Pascack Valley Regional`s virtual 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 are asking students who have Internet access to check class Web sites and complete their assignments, even if you think you should be sleeping in and drinking hot chocolate. Thanks, Carl.