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Wasteful Defense Spending

POGO Files 

Related Resources (government documents and letters)

POGO in the News


POGO Files

Can the Pentagon Be Fixed? Cato Institute Forum
March 13, 2009

Most defense analysts agree: the Pentagon is in serious need of reform. Acquisition programs run above cost and behind schedule. The U.S. defense budget is higher than at any point during the Cold War, but capability has not kept pace. We field fewer ships, aircraft, and tanks than we did in the days of lower procurement spending. And our defense spending prepares us better for the conventional wars we imagine than the unconventional conflicts we fight.

The question is what to do about these problems. Should we give more power over budgets to civilians or combatant commanders? Should we change procurement rules or push the services to buy cheaper but less capable weapons? Should we continue to reform the ground forces to fight small wars or simply avoid them? Should we slash defense spending? 


Pentagon Reform Briefing Papers
February 23, 2009

Analysts Critique Pentagon's Strategic Defense Review
May 8, 2001

Breakfast Briefing
Holeman Lounge, National Press Building
(13th Floor -- 529 14th St., NW)
Monday, May 14, 9 am - 10:30 am


Are We Buying the Right Weapons in the Best Way?
April 3, 2001

The Pentagon's Weapons Buying Systems: Lessons Learned," transcript of panel discussion featuring: Dr. Jacques Gansler, former Undersecretary for Acquisition and Technology, Mr. Philip E. Coyle, III, former Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, Dr. Kenneth Oscar, Acting Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology and moderated by Mr. James Doyle, a founder of Defense News and former executive editor of Army, Navy, and Air Force Times.


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Related Resources


Joint Strike Fighter: Significant Challenges Remain as DOD Restructures Program
Statement of Michael Sullivan, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Managment, Government Accountability Office (GAO-10-520T)
March 11, 2010 


Results in Brief: Contracted Advisory and Assistance Services for the U.S. Army Future Combat Systems
Inspector General, Department of Defense, Department of Defense Report No. D-2010-024
November 24, 2009 


VH-71 Presidential Helicopter Program: Background and Issues for Congress
By Ronald O'Rourke, Specialist in Naval Affairs, Congressional Research Service (RS22103)
June 5, 2009 


Three Former Testing Directors Tell Senate to Keep Provision to Re-establish DDT&E
John E. Krings, Thomas P. Christie and Charles E. Adolph, Former Directors of Operational Test & Evaluation and Former Director Developmental Test & Evaluation
May 5, 2009 


Defense Contract Management Agency's Letter re: Sikorsky Aircraft
By Dorothy J. Freer, Captain, United States Navy Commander, Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
November 22, 2006 


Subcommittee on National Security Chairman Christopher Shays (R-CT) and Ranking Member Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) Letter
Subcommittee on National Security Chairman Christopher Shays (R-CT) and Ranking Member Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) ,
April 27, 2001 


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POGO in the News


Pentagon panel has contractor contacts, By Ray Locker and Ken Dilanian,USA Today, March 1, 2010 


The Pentagon’s Latest Body Armor Debacle, By Corbin Hiar, December 9, 2009 


New rules chafe defense industry, By Jen DiMascioPolitico, December 3, 2009 


Air Force Base overspent by nearly $1M, By John NolanDayton Daily News, November 13, 2009 


Earmarks’ cash flow lifts firms, lobbyists, lawmakers, By Brian BenderBoston Globe, November 12, 2009 


Analysts: Ethics probe won't imperil Defense earmarks, By Megan ScullyCongress Daily, November 3, 2009 


Firms that donate to Inouye receive his earmarks, By Herbert Sample, Associated PressThe Buffalo News, November 2, 2009 


Top Pentagon auditor reassigned, By Elise CastelliNavyTimes.com, October 27, 2009 


Embattled DCAA director reassigned, By Elise CastelliFederal Times, October 26, 2009 


Senators Raid Troop Funding for Pet Projects, Watchdog Groups Say, By Judson BergerFoxNews.com, October 16, 2009 


Price Soars on President's Helicopter Marine One, With Wolfe BlitzerCNN - The Situation Room, October 7, 2009 


POGO Teams Up With McCain to Get Special Forces in Afghanistan More Helicopters, Spencer AckermanThe Washington Independent, October 5, 2009 


The F-22 Vote and the Future of Pentagon Spending, By William Hartung Talking Points Memo, July 28, 2009 


Try, Try Again; BENS report on acquisition reform adds a new twist to a very old debate, By Michael Bruno Joseph C. AnselmoAviation Week & Space (By Subscription Only), July 27, 2009 


The Great Audit, By Alyssa Rosenberg & Elizabeth NewellGovernment Executive Magazine, June 19, 2009 


Senate Nears Approval Of Changes To Acquisition System, By Megan ScullyNational Journal, May 7, 2009 


Senate acts on Pentagon's weapons buying practices, By Jim AnramsAssociated Press, May 7, 2009 


Senate Prepares to Pass Acquisitions Overhaul as House Starts Markup, By Josh Rogin and Matthew M. JohnsonCongressional Quarterly, May 6, 2009 


Did Pentagon lose billions, pennies at a time?, By Benjamin ShorsMSNBC, May 1, 2009 


Arms plan has pain, some gain for N.E., By Bryan Bender and Todd Wallack The Boston Globe, April 7, 2009 


Why The Heat Is On Robert Gates Over The Pentagon's Big-Ticket Weapons, By Anna MulrineU.S. News & World Report (USNews.com), March 25, 2009 


Analysts 'Not Confident' Procurement System Headed in Right Direction, By Matthew M. JohnsonCQ Homeland Security (subscription only), March 13, 2009 


F-22 Raptor plagued by stealth maintenance woes, Congress Daily On-line, February 20, 2009 


Critics say DoD spending more, getting less, By Antonie BoessenkoolArmy Times, February 20, 2009 


Outrageous: Hall of Shame - Air Farce One, By Michael CrowleyReader’s Digest, January 1, 2009 


Lawmakers Hit U.S. Air Force's VIP Capsules, By Erik Holmes and Michael HoffmanDefense News, July 28, 2008 


GAO report sparks call for DCAA resignations, Washington Technology, July 25, 2008 


Analysis - US Navy ship cancellation seen good first step, By Andrea Shalal-EsaReuters News, July 25, 2008 


I'm Comfortable. How About You?, EditorialNew York Times, July 24, 2008 


Letters: “McCain’s Oversight at Boeing” , POGO's Danielle BrianNewsweek, July 21, 2008 


Making defense cuts seen tough for McCain, Obama, By Andrea Shalal-EsaReuters, July 21, 2008 


Pimp my glide, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 20, 2008 


Criticism over luxury capsules, CNN, July 19, 2008 


Terrorism Funds May Let Brass Fly in Style, By R. Jeffrey SmithThe Washington Post, July 18, 2008 


Air force sought anti-terror funds so generals could fly in comfort, Agence France-Presse, July 18, 2008 


Air Force uses counterterror funds to pay for VIP 'comfort capsules', By Mike CarneyUSA Today, July 18, 2008 


A new travel style for Washington VIPs? It's SLICC, By David MorganReuters, July 18, 2008 


Air Force defends 'luxury' travel capsules, By Courtney KubeNBC News, July 18, 2008 


Pentagon Report: High-Flying Spy Drones Hobbled, By Noah ShachtmanWired News: Danger Room, December 20, 2007 


Pentagon report dings N. M. Guard's Gen. Montoya, Larry Barker ReportsKRQE, July 16, 2007 


Hawks and Hogs: Why no one dares attack the waste in defense spending, By David WeigelReason Magazine, July 1, 2007 


Heady days for makers of weapons, By Leslie WayneNew York Times, December 26, 2006 


Study sees no need to replace Air Force tankers, By Megan ScullyGovExec.com, January 27, 2006 


New Pentagon Panel Reviews Acquisition, by Renae MerleWashington Post, July 18, 2005 


Tanker Backers Come Up Empty, By Alan BjergaWichita Eagle, June 13, 2005 


Military waste under fire $1 trillion missing -- Bush plan targets Pentagon accounting, By Tom AbateSan Francisco Chronicle, May 18, 2003 


Kamen Skunks the Garden Party, By Al KamenWashington Post, February 24, 2003 


More money won't end the war , Op-ed by POGO's Eric MillerAlbany Times Union, January 29, 2002 


Reforms Need Reforming: Commercial Acquisition Fails To Cure Overpricing, Op-ed by POGO's Marcus CorbinDefense News, July 13, 1998 


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