Is waste the reason the military budget is so bloated and we claim we need to cut personnel?

2015-07-08T12:18:38-04:00

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

The Pentagon Literally Tossed Millions of Dollars Into the Trash — War Is Boring

Logistics agency would rather throw out faulty spare parts than go to the trouble of returning them

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jul 8 at 2015 12:20 PM

2015-07-08T12:20:30-04:00

It is a part of it I'm sure. but if we cut the pay from those wonderful lawmakers we could save a bundle!

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 8 at 2015 1:03 PM

2015-07-08T13:03:42-04:00

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

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

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jul 8 at 2015 2:40 PM

2015-07-08T14:40:19-04:00

those are some expensive toliet seats.

Response by SSG James Arlington made Jul 8 at 2015 2:43 PM

2015-07-08T14:43:49-04:00

It is a never-ending battle, waste in government. Although, companies waste too. Difference is they go out of business.

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Jul 8 at 2015 2:45 PM

2015-07-08T14:45:27-04:00

There is a lot of problems with the military budget that I have seen over the years. Mentality of How we spent it was a huge problem. I can't remember how many times I heard "End of year money, better start spending in or we won't get this much next year." I think the problem with the Wars was blank checks were being written and no real oversight was in place at first. Americans wanted their military to be the best, so money became no object. I think that fever spread a bit to fast, and it took a while to reign that in. I also believe when people mentioned "Long term" it was easier to say "this is war, we will worry about that later". I think that became a slogan for the military not only in congress but to military leadership and Americans as a whole.

Problem is there is always a long term. According to your Article SGT James Elphick and COL Mikel J. Burroughs article, there seemed to be a lack of agreement on what the long term was going to be for Afghanistan and Iraq. I have been around enough to know that lack of for thought on any project can make you pay in the long run. (repair I did on the top of a C-5 aircraft Tail in 1996 drove that point home). I think that was the main problem back in the day, now... well American's feel differently about the wars. The pour of money is drying up, but the stuff we spent it on has costs. So here we are. Military brass is plugging leaks in the dam but honestly they are failing to address the infrastructure of the problem with the budget. In my opinion. Its easier to cut 40,000 soldiers then actually take the time and cut wasteful spending. Or that is the way I see it.

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 8 at 2015 4:07 PM

2015-07-08T16:07:30-04:00

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.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 8 at 2015 4:23 PM

2015-07-08T16:23:43-04:00

All bureaucracies have "waste" but I don't think "Material Waste" is the reason we have to have "Personnel Reductions."

"If" we look at the Military like we do any other Business, you realize that Personnel is the one Expense that you can really control. Everything else is fixed (for the most part). Your "rent," utilities, etc are all overhead and Fixed. All of your material costs are proportional to your needs, which when dealing with the military means they are essentially Fixed as well. The one thing you have any control over is "Payroll Hours." The Easiest/Simplest/Efficient way to save money is to reduce Payroll.

Alternately, you can "do more with less" but we've pretty much exhausted that avenue.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 8:11 PM

2015-07-08T20:11:41-04:00

If you want to know why the personnel are going to be cut look for where the money is going to be spent that is "saved". If we look at the 2015/16 budget proposal we will find there is more emphasis on equipment, training and specifically cyber warfare.