Posted on Jul 8, 2015
Is waste the reason the military budget is so bloated and we claim we need to cut personnel?
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We all know the military can be quite wasteful but this article details just how bad it can be. If we were to stop the waste in the acquisitions and procurement processes would we be able to afford the personnel we need? Would we even be able to save money in the defense budget?
https://medium.com/war-is-boring/the-pentagon-literally-tossed-millions-of-dollars-into-the-trash-ce32489184a6
https://medium.com/war-is-boring/the-pentagon-literally-tossed-millions-of-dollars-into-the-trash-ce32489184a6
Posted in these groups: 
Procurement
Procurement
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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SGT James Elphick I believe there has always been and always will be waste in every aspect of the Federal Government. This is just an example if the facts are all verified and correct. There is so much involved in the budget of military and defense that it would take a team of Washington Staffers hours to pour over the actual line-by-line items contained in it to see what makes sense and what doesn't. If you have ever had the chance to read through a bill that was going through congress you be amazed at the add-on and special interest items that tucked away that really only affect a few concerned business or lobbyist. As some have said Government has gotten way to big and I truly believe we as a people and our government official have lost control of the meaningful aspect that could save us money. I'm sure there are more examples that our RP members can share. Look at the money we spent over in the desert (Iraq specifically) to build air-conditioned tent cities at some of our Fobs, just to be left behind with thousands of dollars in air conditioning systems. Who is accounting for that waste and those dollars? Could that equipment have been loaded up and used in some of our poor inner city public housing project to help older citizens out during very hot summers?
Here is great article that articulates where all our defense money went and now we need to cut budgets and send 40,000 service members to unemployment:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/26/iraq-withdrawal-us-bases-equipment_n_975463.html
Here is great article that articulates where all our defense money went and now we need to cut budgets and send 40,000 service members to unemployment:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/26/iraq-withdrawal-us-bases-equipment_n_975463.html
The Great Iraqi Giveaway: Billions In Bases, Equipment Being Handed Over
WASHINGTON -- With just over three months until the last U.S. troops are currently due to leave Iraq, the Department of Defense is engaged in a mad dash to give away things that cost U.S. taxpayers bi
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MSgt Robert Pellam
Excellent Article. Having you post it, gives it some serious weight for me at least. I remember a time when Sec. Def Rumsfeld was in Iraq, and a soldier asked him a staged question about Humvee's and the Army armoring them up themselves with junk yard parts. He said "You go to war with the Army you have". Next thing you know the Media catches it, people are "outraged" and money is being thrown at the problem like confetti. My point is I believe a lot of spending in Iraq and Afghanistan was more Emotional then practical. Don't get me wrong. The money for an armored-up Humvee to save even one soldiers life was worth the cost every time, but some of the things we bought make me scratch my head.
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CPT James Burkholder
A problem is that the staffers that go through these bills don't have any good idea about what they are reading. The corruption is so diffuse that I see no hope.
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CPO Nate S.
CPT James Burkholder - Absolutely! Staffers who review military related bills should ALL be veterans with real world operational experience. Often such staffers have deep seated biases.
As to corruption, "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely"! The issue with corruption is, as you say, "diffuse". I also agree with MSgt Robert Pellam that when the DoD pays for a $500 toilet seat (that you can get at Lowes for < $50/seat) [https://www.lowes.com/pl/Toilet-seats-Toilets-toilet-seats-Bathroom/ [login to see] ] then there are issues. So, where does a net difference of ~$450 go? They say to always "Follow the money". The problem is always "politics".
Finally, what COL Mikel J. Burroughs articulated about what we left behind in the desert is a waste. At least if we had packed it up and brought it back to be staged in say Texas, other uses could have been made of the gear. MSgt Robert Pellam nails it on the head when he says, "I have been around enough to know that lack of for thought on any project can make you pay in the long run."
In the end, the American people will have to finally and honestly determine how much more of the misguided and wasteful spending they are willing to continue to tolerate. Now that would be interesting!
As to corruption, "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely"! The issue with corruption is, as you say, "diffuse". I also agree with MSgt Robert Pellam that when the DoD pays for a $500 toilet seat (that you can get at Lowes for < $50/seat) [https://www.lowes.com/pl/Toilet-seats-Toilets-toilet-seats-Bathroom/ [login to see] ] then there are issues. So, where does a net difference of ~$450 go? They say to always "Follow the money". The problem is always "politics".
Finally, what COL Mikel J. Burroughs articulated about what we left behind in the desert is a waste. At least if we had packed it up and brought it back to be staged in say Texas, other uses could have been made of the gear. MSgt Robert Pellam nails it on the head when he says, "I have been around enough to know that lack of for thought on any project can make you pay in the long run."
In the end, the American people will have to finally and honestly determine how much more of the misguided and wasteful spending they are willing to continue to tolerate. Now that would be interesting!
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A huge part of the problem is the fact that members of Congress want to bring military contracts to their districts and states. Plus, they push the military to purchase things they don't need or want. Congress routinely tells the military what they will take and don't really listen to what the services really need.
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SGT James Elphick
That is a very good point, and I got that from reading this article. No one wants to ruffle the feathers of the company providing jobs in their area.
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It is a never-ending battle, waste in government. Although, companies waste too. Difference is they go out of business.
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