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The Army's "Conned" Us All? Yeah, And Water's Wet.
Okay, so Army Secretary Dan Driscoll's been running his mouth again. This time, he's claiming the "defense industrial base" – specifically the big prime contractors – "conned the American people and the Pentagon" into thinking we needed military-specific solutions. [https://dod.defense.gov/News/Releases/News-Release-View/Article/3458258/army-overhauls-acquisition-structure/]
Give me a break.
Like this is some kind of shocking revelation? It's the military-industrial complex, baby. Eisenhower warned us about this back in the freaking '50s. It's not a conspiracy; it's just how the game is played. Always has been, always will be.
So, What's New?
Driscoll wants to flip the script, apparently. He wants 90% of what the Army buys to be "commercially available" stuff. Off-the-shelf solutions, like General Motors engines in infantry squad vehicles or Caterpillar engines in the next-gen Abrams tank.
Sounds great in theory. Cheaper, faster, more scalable. But let's be real—are we really going to trust the same geniuses who brought us the $600 toilet seat to suddenly become savvy shoppers at Costco? I seriously doubt it.
And here's where my brain starts to hurt... If these commercial solutions are equal to or better, why the hell weren't we using them all along? Were they just too busy lining their pockets?
The Blame Game
Driscoll also admits the Army's been a less-than-perfect customer. "I highlight how bad of a customer we have been and the characteristics that they have today, we created and incentivized over a long period of time."
Well, isn't that special? So, the Army created the monster, and now they're surprised it bites.
It's like blaming your dog for chewing your shoes when you never bothered to train it.
But he's right, offcourse. The Army's acquisition process is a black hole of bureaucracy and red tape. It takes longer to buy a new rifle than it does to get a freaking PhD. No wonder the primes can charge whatever they want. They know the Army ain't got no other choice.
Then again, maybe I'm being too harsh. Maybe Driscoll's actually onto something here. Maybe this "Pathway for Innovation and Technology" (PIT) office he's setting up will actually shake things up. According to a recent report, the defense industry ‘conned the American people and the Pentagon’: Army Secretary.
Maybe... but I ain't holding my breath.
The Drone Dream
Speaking of shaking things up, the Army wants to buy a million drones in the next few years. A MILLION.
Now, I ain't no military strategist, but that sounds like a lot of drones. What are we planning, a drone swarm apocalypse? And where are these drones coming from? Are we gonna trust some fly-by-night startup in Shenzhen to build our military hardware?
I tell you what I'm planning. I'm planning on buying a cabin in the woods and living off the grid. Because if the future of warfare is a million drones buzzing around, I want no part of it.
And while we're at it, can someone explain to me why the U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll isn't at the ATF?