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> avoid boondoggles The DoD budget, as usually reported, generally doesn't include funding allocated for specific operations (e.g. the Afghan or Iraq conflicts
by killjoywashere 8y ago
> avoid boondoggles
The DoD budget, as usually reported, generally doesn't include funding allocated for specific operations (e.g. the Afghan or Iraq conflicts).
> focus on proven tech
The average soldier has always wanted proven tech. But what they really need (and what the officers ask for) is training. More HUMVEEs and Arleigh Burke destroyers, fewer wheel 4.0s and Zumwalts.
We are at the top of a power curve with regard to total dollars spent, but we actually about 4th in terms of defense spending as a percent GDP, (I think we're around 5th). Soft power remains our major advantage. Not that bad when you consider our outsize role in world military affairs.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2015/06/25/the-biggest-military-budgets-as-a-percentage-of-gdp-infographic-2/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2015/06/25/the-bi...
- mehrdadn 8y ago> We are at the top of a power curve with regard to total dollars spent, but we actually about 4th in terms of defense spending as a percent GDP Any reason why percent GDP is the right metric? If we're normalizing I would've expected per capita instead.
- riku_iki 8y ago> , (I think we're around 5th). Soft power remains our major advantage. Not that bad when you consider our outsize role in world military affairs. > https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2015/06/25/the-bi.. https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2015/06/25/the-bi.... Your link says US is 4th in list of selected countries, not in the world. On this page US not in the top: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditure_share_of_GDP https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_...