You mean we’re actually supposed to be concerned about whether these things work or not? And we’re supposed to consider the costs! Why? We’ve never done that before!
Those “cushy” jobs with the defense contractors are determined by the great Congress telling the defense who gets to do what. The DOD just does what they have to and play the game with Congress.
LLeRay - I didn’t quite follow your statement “Congress relies on the recommendations of the supply officers, and those officers even have some discretion in what to buy.” The actual point of fact is that Congress does not ALLOW the supply officers any discretion on anything more major than toilet paper (although there may be limitations even there). Every major contract tends to have former Congressmen involved as lobbyists, and it is the politically APPOINTED Civilian Heads of the Departments who actually make most decisions. Lest we forget, the current Secretary of Defense, as well as his predecessor, are former CONGRESSMEN, not military officers.
BTW, When I was in the USCG I was involved in providing technical assistance for the determination of the production source for a new surface-search radar for our ships (the previous two had been abject failures due to Congressional intervention). Who decided on what radar was selected, a congressional committee. What did they base their decision on? Not on merit (it was too close to call), or even cost (their decision went to the one that cost 22% more per unit), but based entirely on which congressional district the equipment would be manufactured in. I had never realized that such a reason could enter into the decision until the aide of the committee chairman asked me that question, “Where will it be made?”
One problem for Sheneman is, who ever told him that GATES would even KNOW which program will do the most GOOD? We won’t know the answer to that question until we have to use it in combat someday!
WillieB, your facts are wrong.
Sec Defense Gates is not a former congressman! from wikipedia:
Gates served for 26 years in the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council, and under President George H. W. Bush as Director of Central Intelligence. Before he joined the CIA, he served with the United States Air Force (USAF). After leaving the CIA, Gates became president of Texas A&M University and was a member of several corporate boards. Gates also served as a member of the Iraq Study Group, the bipartisan commission co-chaired by James A. Baker III and Lee Hamilton, that has studied the Iraq War. He was also the first pick to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security when it was created following the September 11, 2001 attacks, but he declined the appointment in order to remain President of Texas A&M University.
believecommonsense about 15 years ago
You mean we’re actually supposed to be concerned about whether these things work or not? And we’re supposed to consider the costs! Why? We’ve never done that before!
believecommonsense about 15 years ago
^ excellent point That’s the American way!”
greeneyedtxn about 15 years ago
Those “cushy” jobs with the defense contractors are determined by the great Congress telling the defense who gets to do what. The DOD just does what they have to and play the game with Congress.
WillBerry about 15 years ago
LLeRay - I didn’t quite follow your statement “Congress relies on the recommendations of the supply officers, and those officers even have some discretion in what to buy.” The actual point of fact is that Congress does not ALLOW the supply officers any discretion on anything more major than toilet paper (although there may be limitations even there). Every major contract tends to have former Congressmen involved as lobbyists, and it is the politically APPOINTED Civilian Heads of the Departments who actually make most decisions. Lest we forget, the current Secretary of Defense, as well as his predecessor, are former CONGRESSMEN, not military officers.
WillBerry about 15 years ago
BTW, When I was in the USCG I was involved in providing technical assistance for the determination of the production source for a new surface-search radar for our ships (the previous two had been abject failures due to Congressional intervention). Who decided on what radar was selected, a congressional committee. What did they base their decision on? Not on merit (it was too close to call), or even cost (their decision went to the one that cost 22% more per unit), but based entirely on which congressional district the equipment would be manufactured in. I had never realized that such a reason could enter into the decision until the aide of the committee chairman asked me that question, “Where will it be made?”
WillBerry about 15 years ago
One problem for Sheneman is, who ever told him that GATES would even KNOW which program will do the most GOOD? We won’t know the answer to that question until we have to use it in combat someday!
believecommonsense about 15 years ago
WillieB, your facts are wrong. Sec Defense Gates is not a former congressman! from wikipedia: Gates served for 26 years in the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council, and under President George H. W. Bush as Director of Central Intelligence. Before he joined the CIA, he served with the United States Air Force (USAF). After leaving the CIA, Gates became president of Texas A&M University and was a member of several corporate boards. Gates also served as a member of the Iraq Study Group, the bipartisan commission co-chaired by James A. Baker III and Lee Hamilton, that has studied the Iraq War. He was also the first pick to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security when it was created following the September 11, 2001 attacks, but he declined the appointment in order to remain President of Texas A&M University.