Gates likes military’s plans to reinvest savings

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he is pleased with the military services’ initial recommendations for cutting their budgets and spending the savings.

Gates said today that service officials have briefed him on proposed cuts and reinvestment priorities.

The Pentagon chief has ordered the services and the Pentagon’s agencies to find $100 billion in spending cuts and savings over the next five years.

Gates said the services are highly motivated to make his plan work because they have been given the decision where to spend the savings. He called their recommendations ambitious and aggressive.

Gates made the comments to reporters accompanying him on a visit to San Diego’s Marine recruit depot.