Our Navy's Stupid Mistakes

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your...ed-after-less-than-9-years-of-active-service/

The first two LCS, Freedom and Independence, have already been mothballed, and the third LCS, Fort Worth, is also slated for the chopping block.

Navy brass are trying to divest themselves of as many LCS as possible in order to free up funding for other priorities, a tacit acknowledgement that the LCS fleet has not done what it was originally envisioned to do.

This mismanaged Navy LCS program is a good example of why our military spends more than the rest of the next top 10 highest spending countries combined.

That's good point. It appears the weapons we provided are very effective. Also, that Russian ships are easy targets.

It'll be interesting to see how our "Ghost Navy" or unmanned vessels pan out in the future. I've been reading what's out there so far and it seems the Navy brass is going all in on this one.

Heck yes, Captain sits in a comfortable chair in a safe place with an array of screens, a crew of robots on board.
How much smaller and less expensive would a Drone Carrier be compared to the USS Gerald R Ford?
We might laugh about this but are definitely headed that way in the future.

I was reading where Iran keeps trying to steal our spy drones.

Yes, by all means, let's put a bunch of unmanned ships out there with full weapons systems all remote controlled. Because we all know, our computers are all hack proof so there is no chance of an enemy somehow taking control of them. Let alone what happens if an enemy somehow manages to get aboard. And then there is the issue of repair and damage control. If there is nobody aboard, who will fix the valve when it leaks, the electrical connection when it comes loose, etc, etc.

It is well known military bases spend any excess money (on whatever) at the end of each fiscal year, to ask for an increase in funds for the coming years budget. Congress is aware but never has the backbone to stop the waste.

Yoiu haven't explained why military bases, and most military programs for that matter, would have any money left at the end of each fiscal year. Why don't they just budget and spend the money as the year progresses? Why do they usually have some extra money that they have to get rid of at the end of the fiscal year? There is a legitimate reason for this occurrence.

Apparently, they pad their budgets and have excess money left over the end of each fiscal year, September 30th. I've been told they will use it up on whatever they can rather than show it as excess because the budget next year might get cut. Replacing carpet that is in good condition, appliances, and a variety of items that many local contractors and business's bid on knowing what is going on. This has been SOP for decades.

The military does "pad" their budgets, but not so they can buy new carpet and appliances at the end of the fiscal year. The money used for new carpet and appliances is chump change when compared to the total budget for a fiscal year.

One of the reasons the military pads their budgets is because they are self-insured. If one of their weapons is damaged or totaled, they have to pay to have it fixed or replaced. So, they guess what amount to budget for their "insurance" claims. If they have fewer claims than budgeted for, they will use the excess money for something that was budgeted in future years.

Another reason for padding budgets is unanticipated operations, which then puts unexpected maintenance requirements on equipment. If there is money left over because of fewer unexpected operations, that money might be used for upgrades scheduled for future budgets.

Most people don't realize that the money allocated to the military has an expiration date on it. If the military doesn't use it in time, it goes back to the treasury; the military can't save it to use later. And Congress, with their infinite "wisdom" (sarcasm), will see that return of money as a reason to cut next year's military budget. So, the military loses twice.

So, you're right, bayoubud, the military padding their budget has been SOP for decades, but it's not because they are living high on the hog as a result. The military lives within the system dictated by Congress.

You clarified my point. That chump change is taxpayer money being spent unnecessarily that has no benefit, just using up funds to zero the account to get more in the next budget year to do the same thing again. Not a good way to run any operation. The blame is on Congress not the military but a system that both know the rules and allow to continue year after year.

If you are referring to my posts, it's not BS. I was a Submarine Sonar Technician in the U.S. Navy for 10 years, and an analyst supporting the Naval Sea Systems Command and the Naval Air Systems Command for almost 25 years.

Unfortunately, it's the people with zero experience either in the military or with the military that are their most ardent critics; the epitome of arm-chair quarterbacking. You've never done it, but you can do it better.

Since you want to stay focused on the chump change: New carpet, new microwaves, and other non-essentials are morale boosters, but aren't the major focus of the budgeting and spending processes. Every cent the military spends is done with the idea of benefiting the military. Since the military is always underfunded, every expenditure can be justified.

I can assure you that those who are managing the military's money are not focused on buying new carpet, office appliances, and other non-essentials during the last quarter of the fiscal year. They are trying to get the most from the bucks that they have left to spend that will benefit the military. And they will try to spend every penny that is available to them, because more requirements are put on the military than are funded. And next year more requirements will be put on the military than will be funded. That's been going on for decades, too.