I'm gravely disappointed in our lawmakers' failure to find an alternative to the March 2013 sequester. Furthermore, I'm deeply concerned with its impact on the total force and the security of the United States of America.

Military unit readiness will steadily decline as key wartime training is canceled and air, space and cyber systems maintenance is deferred. Thousands of Department of Defense employees including Guard and Reserve technicians will be furloughed and active duty airmen could lose their jobs.

Military quality-of-life programs will be affected as commissaries close on Wednesdays; tuition assistance programs are curtailed; children's education via the DoD schools system is impaired; and eventually there is a reduction in services under TriCare.

In the end, our all-volunteer force will be required to carry twice the burden of these cuts as compared to other federal programs. In my opinion, our government is asking those currently serving and veterans to accept a renegotiation of their service contract, as lawmakers attempt to balance the country's budget on the backs of those who served.

Time remains for Congress to find a solution to end the terrible effects of a sequestration and ensure the nation's ability to defend itself. I urge lawmakers to do everything in their power to make this happen.

Aimee French

O'Fallon