National Defense Authorization Bill

Senator Martin Heinrich has done an amazing job of balancing the diverse interests of New Mexico's Constituencies. Ranging from the hi-tech corridors of Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos and White Sands Missile Range, through the Northern stronghold of Hispaniola to the predominantly-agricultural southern communities and including the many Tribal Nations throughout the State, he's even managed to avoid getting FAT!

(He HAS recently acquired a Bud-light-esque beard.)

He's always been good about keeping the citizenry informed and his latest email, January 31, 2022, exhorts the folks in the southern part to recognize the many benefits of the American Rescue Plan, the National Defense Authorization Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, "all major pieces of legislation that I helped to pass last year."

Curious about the National Defense Authorization Plan, I looked it up.

Near the top, in Sec.114, is mention of "the procurement of accessories for the next generation squad weapon." Intrigued by the name, I googled Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) and was informed that the military will replace all M4 carbines and M249 automatic weapons with the new. The contracts won't be awarded until October and Textron Systems has dropped out.

Prototypes

From the article on Armytimes.com: The optic will include a “ballistic computer” and the future ability to link with new night vision devices to connect the goggles with the weapon site for target acquisition and engagement.

In perusing the websites of Vortex Optics and L3 Harris, neither offers the public anything that even approaches the technology of the military's NGSW optics. 

There's a link in the Armytimes article to current Army pay rates and compensation calculators. After 20 years ANY soldier will be making $55k - $75k and likely have better retirement benefits -- as much or more than is available in public-sector jobs. 

With jobs disappearing to automation and no incentives for population control, things could get interesting. As the need for middle-management has faded, the middle-class, comprised of college-educated professionals has also disappeared. And as the divide between the working class and the wealthy has widened, America has sunk into third-world status. It is at times such as this when dictators have managed to gain control. But we can all feel safe knowing the military is well-endowed.