Washington (CNN) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced some far-reaching proposals Monday for restructuring the massive budget at his agency, including getting rid of the U.S. Joint Forces Command. The cuts could mean a loss of thousands of jobs. The current Defense Department budget totals more than $530 billion a year, and defense officials believe they need increases of 2 to 3 percent a year to sustain the force structure and meet modernization needs. However, the recession caused the department to propose a 1 percent budget increase for next year, and the cuts announced Monday were intended to help hold down overall costs.
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Defense Department budget cuts could mean the loss of thousands of jobs
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Virginia senators oppose possible elimination of Joint Forces Command
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Recession leads to lower proposed increase for next year
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Defense Secretary Robert Gates announces cuts to hold down overall costs
-- A review of all @placeholder intelligence to eliminate needless duplication;