Todd Harrison

The most radioactive elements of the U.S. military budget involve the pay and benefits of military members, retirees and their families. Harrison is one of the few to target those for overhaul, warning in a 2012 report that without change, “military personnel costs will consume the entire defense budget by 2039.” A former Air Force officer, his evaluations of defense programs and spending can greatly boost new initiatives — or raise serious doubts about them.