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It's welfare for defense contractors. Sure, they produce crap, but it's largely exactly as useful as if they'd done nothing at all, only more expensive.
That's not all programs, of course. It's things like buying more and more weapons and equipment that the military doesn't want or need, so it can be stuffed into warehouses. It accomplishes literally nothing other than keeping some people employed and enriching defense contractors.
Im a US military veteran. I did two tours to the middle east during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
I was well trained in my job, the C130 I flew on was well maintained, my M-16 worked just fine, and my chem gear was well maintained and ready to go.
As someone who has actually served (I got out in 2006), I can verify that all equipment was always in great shape and I was always trained on all things that involved doing my job and would help keep me alive.
So I'm not sure how $54B in training and maintenance would he necessary.
thank you for your service, we often times dont tell our military people how much we appreciate them and their sacrifices.
as to your question, the cost of maintaining, training, and supporting the military do not stay static. lets say it cost $500,000 per year to maintain the C130 when you were in the military in the 90s. do you really think that maintaining that C130 today would still be $500,000 per year? no today its more like $700,000 per year. by the way these number are just for the sake of argument, and NOT actual numbers.
so it costs more to maintain equipment today than when you were in, so there should be an increase in the budget as a result. also it costs money to replace the bombs missiles and bullets that are used, even in training, and the cost of those things go up each year. a 5.56 round that cost perhaps five cents when you were in, probably now costs more like eight cents. these dont sound like much, but multiply that with the number of rounds the military buys each year, and you can see the costs add up quickly.
and dont forget, we cant go on paying the military personal the same we paid them in the 90s can we? and of course they need things, simple stuff like food, clothing, housing, etc.
one more thing to consider, even though we have the best trained people, the best equipment, etc. if we dont keep the people happy, they leave the military. and that means training new people to take their place. and as you know from your service, the training is intense, especially for the marines and special forces. and the training doesnt stop at the end of boot camp either, as you well know. depending on your MOS, you have schooling to go to, in addition to your infantry training that you need to also take in. and all this constant training, which make you the best, costs a lot of money.
It's welfare for defense contractors. Sure, they produce crap, but it's largely exactly as useful as if they'd done nothing at all, only more expensive.
That's not all programs, of course. It's things like buying more and more weapons and equipment that the military doesn't want or need, so it can be stuffed into warehouses. It accomplishes literally nothing other than keeping some people employed and enriching defense contractors.
i agree with you to a point. yes there are weapon system the military buys that they dont need, and perhaps we do spend too much on the newest technology. but then remember that we do in fact send our people into harms way, and as such i think they should have the best equipment and the best training so they have the best chance to survive any conflict we send them into. as such as have reduced casualties over the decades substantially. so recognizing the fact that we are going to send our people into combat, shouldnt they have the best to get the best chance to survive? or would you rather spend less and let more die?
personally i would prefer that mankind never have wars ever again. it would be nice to end all military spending, get rid of all weapons, AKA turning swords into plowshares. but until mankind comes to the realization that need to happen, war is unfortunately inevitable.
i agree with you to a point. yes there are weapon system the military buys that they dont need, and perhaps we do spend too much on the newest technology. but then remember that we do in fact send our people into harms way, and as such i think they should have the best equipment and the best training so they have the best chance to survive any conflict we send them into. as such as have reduced casualties over the decades substantially. so recognizing the fact that we are going to send our people into combat, shouldnt they have the best to get the best chance to survive? or would you rather spend less and let more die?
personally i would prefer that mankind never have wars ever again. it would be nice to end all military spending, get rid of all weapons, AKA turning swords into plowshares. but until mankind comes to the realization that need to happen, war is unfortunately inevitable.
Your intelligence level is reflected in your choice of words. Think about that to begin with.
Next, you are totally wrong. You appear to know zero about who joins the military or the reasons why. The population of the military and the reasons they join are as diverse as the population of our country.
Myself and my husband are veterans and my son is career military. My husband's mother, my father, my uncles, my husband's uncles were all veterans.
The military is crucial to our country. I take it you didn't learn about American or World History in high school, so I see that we need education reform desperately.
Your tone is insulting to members of the military and shows your obvious ignorance when it comes to the purpose of the military. Get a couple history books and turn off CNN!
Just because you and some people you know joined the military for a certain reason.. that doesn't mean the military isn't mostly made up of poor rural youth.
The military is a jobs program to protect the elite and to keep young males out of trouble so they don't start domestic problems. It is also population control to a certain extent.
Do you not realize you are on the Internet right now?
Yes I do. and? If you are not a jealous and angry internet fatty, then don't worry about my post. It is nothing personal.
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