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Writer's pictureLynn Matthews

How to Ruin Expensive Military Equipment: A Masterclass in Government Waste

If there’s one thing the U.S. military excels at—besides protecting the nation—it’s finding creative ways to set taxpayer dollars on fire. Over the years, they’ve managed to turn operational budgets into repair bills that would make even the most reckless spenders blush. Take, for example, this trilogy of financial disasters: engines, transmissions, and tank treads. Together, these catastrophic failures have cost the American taxpayer a jaw-dropping $169 million.


Let’s break down how this stunning achievement in negligence came to pass, step by step.

According to the Rand Paul Festivus Report 2023, the U.S. military wasted a staggering $169 million on avoidable equipment failures, including engines, transmissions, and tank treads. These examples showcase the shocking mismanagement of taxpayer dollars.


Step 1: Blow Up the Engines ($89 Million)

Engines are the heart of any military vehicle, from fighter jets to tanks. You’d think keeping them in working order would be high on the priority list. But apparently, that memo didn’t make it to the Pentagon. Through a combination of mismanagement and neglect, the military managed to ruin $89 million worth of engines.


Think about that. That’s enough to buy 14 fully equipped Abrams tanks or fund a small fleet of drones. Instead, we’re left with busted engines sitting idle while someone tries to figure out which checklist they forgot to follow.


Step 2: Destroy the Transmissions ($12.6 Million)


When it comes to mobility, transmissions are pretty important. Without them, even the most powerful engines are just dead weight. But who needs functioning transmissions when you have $12.6 million lying around to spend on replacements?


Maybe the military was trying to prove that it’s possible to turn a convoy of armored vehicles into very expensive paperweights. If so, mission accomplished.


Step 3: Rip Apart the Tank Treads ($68 Million)

Ah, tank treads—the very thing that allows our most powerful vehicles to roll into battle. You’d think these would be treated with the utmost care. But somehow, $68 million worth of tank treads were ruined.


Imagine driving a Ferrari through a gravel pit and wondering why the tires shredded. That’s essentially what happened here. Only instead of Ferraris, we’re talking about tanks—machines that cost upwards of $10 million each to build.


$169 Million Later: What Could That Money Have Done?

Let’s put this in perspective. For $169 million, the military could have:

  • Funded the salaries of 2,300 enlisted soldiers for a year.

  • Bought 3,380,000 gallons of fuel to keep operational vehicles running.

  • Paid for 338,000 school lunches daily for children in need.


Instead, this money was spent on avoidable mistakes, all because no one bothered to ask, “Are we maintaining this equipment properly?”


Why This Matters

The military isn’t just about firepower—it’s about readiness. And readiness isn’t just having the right tools; it’s about taking care of them. This $169 million disaster represents more than just a financial loss; it’s a blow to efficiency and trust.


At a time when politicians are asking taxpayers to tighten their belts, how can the Pentagon justify this level of waste? If private companies operated like this, they’d be bankrupt—and their CEOs would be answering some very tough questions.


The Bigger Picture

This trilogy of negligence isn’t an isolated incident. It’s part of a larger pattern of wasteful spending that stretches across government agencies. The military is vital to our national defense, but stories like this undermine its credibility and fuel calls for oversight and reform.


The question taxpayers should be asking is simple: If they can’t take care of the equipment we’ve already paid for, how can we trust them with bigger budgets?


If you are as curious as the next person about military waste, The Festivus Report has a lot of goodies to quell your curiosity.


A Preview of What’s Next

Stay tuned for more examples of how taxpayer dollars are being misused. Because when it comes to waste, the government isn’t just wasteful—it’s wasteful with style.


For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.

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