President Barack Obama said Monday he will commit U.S. troops to combat operations only “when it is absolutely necessary” and renewed his pledge to overhaul the military’s weapons buying process.In a speech prepared for delivery in Phoenix at the annual national convention of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Obama also said he still plans to have all U.S. combat brigades out of Iraq by next August and all U.S. troops out of Iraq by the end of 2011, which will help as the administration “refocuses” efforts on Afghanistan.He also renewed a campaign promise to transform the Veterans Affairs Department into a 21st-century agency and issued a new promise that his national health care reform plan would not affect veterans’ health care. “No one is going to take away your benefits — that’s the truth,” he said.Speaking about his promise to use caution in sending troops into danger, Obama said he recognizes the disproportionate burden and sacrifice of service members and their families. In a nation of 300 million, less than 1 percent of the population is in the military, and they are bearing “the overwhelming burden of our security,” he said.“In fact, perhaps never in American history have so few protected so many,” Obama said. “There is nothing more sobering than signing a letter of condolence to the family of serviceman or woman who has given their life for our country.”“I will only send you into harm’s way when it is absolutely necessary” he said. “When I do, it will be based on good intelligence and guided by a sound strategy. And I will give you a clear mission, defined goals and the equipment and support you need to get the job done.”That doesn’t mean he will shy away from using the military, he said. “As president, my greatest responsibility is the security and safety of the American people,” Obama said. “As I’ve said before, this is the first thing that I think about when I wake up in the morning. It’s the last thing that I think about when I go to sleep at night. And I will not hesitate to use force to protect the American people or our vital interests.”Giving troops the resources they need applies to both personnel levels and weapons buying, he said.Obama said his administration “will equip our forces with the assets and technologies they need to fight and win,” but he added that this will be done in a way that doesn’t waste money.“Much of our defense establishment has yet to fully adapt to the post-Cold War world, with doctrine and weapons better suited to fight the Soviets on the plains of Europe than insurgents in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan,” he said. “Twenty years after the Cold War ended, this is not simply unacceptable — it is irresponsible. And our troops and taxpayers deserve better.”A prime example of waste, he said, was the new presidential helicopter program. “Maybe you heard about this. Among other capabilities, it would let me cook a meal while under nuclear attack,” Obama told the veterans. “I’ll tell you something. If the United States of America is under nuclear attack, the last thing on my mind will be whipping up a snack.“We’re asking hard questions about the forces we need and the weapons we buy. And when we’re finished, we’ll have a new blueprint for the 21st century military we need,” he said.For veterans, Obama said his administration “will fulfill our responsibility to our wounded warriors.” That includes expanding treatment centers and case managers, and improving mental health screening, he said.“Whether you left the service in 2009 or 1949, we will fulfill our responsibility to deliver the benefits and care that you earned,” Obama said.DISCUSS: Obama’s remarks