The Pentagon. Wikimedia
Sean Kennedy, Washington Examiner: Pentagon's deep dysfunction exposed by 30 years of financial failure
Imagine the following scenario: The year is 1990, and you have been selected by the IRS to undergo an audit. Unfortunately, you are unable to provide adequate documentation tracking either your income or expenses. No worries, says the IRS, you can try again next year.
Now, repeat this scenario every year through 2019, and you will have matched the financial track record of the Department of Defense.
The department remains the sole federal agency that has not undergone a clean audit under the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990. On Nov. 15, 2019, the Pentagon released its fiscal year 2019 financial report and again failed its attempt at a clean audit.
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WNU Editor: The Pentagon's priority is to is to develop strategies for future conflicts, fight current conflicts, and procure the necessary equipment and weapons to fight today's and tomorrow's wars. It is obvious that for the Generals accounting is a low priority.
Considering the amount of money involved, politics involved ( which it should be) and the militaries point of view the answer will always be no.
ReplyDeleteI disagree. Circa 1991 (about the time of the 1st Gulf War) some top brass were looking into the military retirement system. They wanted to change it from defined benefit to a defined contribution system.
ReplyDeleteA defined contribution system is a win for people, who get out before the end of 20 years. The all or nothing system makes for bad politics and economics.
Point is the generals are always looking at the books. There are always more needs than resources.
There are always contingencies, which play havoc on budget. There is always congressional interference in military procurement and basing. The military tries to close a base and Congress stops it. Yet we have the liberal pipsqueaks pipe up "Look at how many bases!"
ReplyDeleteIndeed, anon 12:45 PM. Politicians have a large impact on basing and equipment decisions. Such behavior has replaced the blatant vote buying of years ago.