The Cost of a Soldier

[dragoon500ly]

That's what makes the inter-service games so much fun to watch! Its like when the Army was developing MREs and the other service chiefs were all assuring the various Congressional boards that the C-Ration was all that was needed.

[Panther Al]

Originally Posted by Abbott Shaull

Yeah it still a miracle that Joint Fighter is still in development with the Air Force and the Navy/Marie Air going their own ways.

You forgot to mention about how the other services also 'adopted' M-16 or various versions of the AR-15 only after to take the bitter pill much like US forced the round onto NATO to only change to another version than the one the US Army had pick in return.

For what its worth, the Air Farce finally admitted what the USN/USMC is saying as to lifecycle costs for the F35 being much more than expected - especially the day to day costs of keeping it in the air is going to be more than any other bird out there.

In essence: Don't see the F16 line being shut down anytime soon....

[Abbott Shaull]

Originally Posted by Panther Al

For what its worth, the Air Farce finally admitted what the USN/USMC is saying as to lifecycle costs for the F35 being much more than expected - especially the day to day costs of keeping it in the air is going to be more than any other bird out there.

In essence: Don't see the F16 line being shut down anytime soon....

Wouldn't expect to see the F15 or the F16 to leave front line service any time soon. Especially considering the B-52 age they are relatively still young still.

With the limited number of B-2, B-1 and FA-117 prove that many of the newer designs are too costly to replace the old entirely.

Much like the M113 is still for some odd reason is still kicking around...

[Bullet Magnet]

Army Combat Shirt: $101.19
100 bucks for a shirt? Was it designed by Armani?
Admittedly, I have no idea what it looks like. Has anyone here seen it? Is there something that special about it to justify the price, or are we talking about the typical US Govt way of paying 100 bucks for a 25 dollar shirt?

[HorseSoldier]

The combat shirt is for wear under body armor, with a moisture wicking torso and more conventional sleeves. A big part of the cost is that it and other combat uniform components are now made with fire retardant fabrics. Without the FR cost per unit would probably be half or less.

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by HorseSoldier

...would probably be half or less.

...and made in China.

[bobcat]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

T
M-4 Carbine: $ 1,300.00

Wow!

and you know those prices are heavily inflated. (specificly they are what PVT snuffy will pay if he breaks/loses the item.) the army pays approx $400 for an M4 carbine.

[Abbott Shaull]

Originally Posted by bobcat

and you know those prices are heavily inflated. (specificly they are what PVT snuffy will pay if he breaks/loses the item.) the army pays approx $400 for an M4 carbine.

Gasp! The Army or any other service would charge PVT Snuffy overly inflated prices to replace his M4 Carbine that he lost. Ironically back 1988 the going rate for M16 was around 450-550...lol So that the M4 is down to 400 isn't logical.

[dragoon500ly]

Originally Posted by bobcat

and you know those prices are heavily inflated. (specificly they are what PVT snuffy will pay if he breaks/loses the item.) the army pays approx $400 for an M4 carbine.

But your getting those way cool rails, and that nifty little foregrip, and that sexy holo sight and, wait for it....all those cool camo colors!!!!!!

Its a steal!!!!!

[Legbreaker]

It's all about filling in the L&D forms creatively. You can get away with loosing virtually any piece of kit as long as the paperwork is well written.
Of course if it's something like the latest code book then it'd damn well better be Pulitzer material!

[Abbott Shaull]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

But your getting those way cool rails, and that nifty little foregrip, and that sexy holo sight and, wait for it....all those cool camo colors!!!!!!

Its a steal!!!!!

*Said in the voice of Billy Mays*

[Abbott Shaull]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

It's all about filling in the L&D forms creatively. You can get away with loosing virtually any piece of kit as long as the paperwork is well written.
Of course if it's something like the latest code book then it'd damn well better be Pulitzer material!

Trouble is Private Snuffy isn't the one filling out this paper work...lol It usually someone with much higher pay grade.

[Legbreaker]

I feel so sorry for you Americans then. Over here, you loose it, you do the paperwork and you suffer the consequences for your shoddy performance.
That's not to say the next level or two up won't get a kick in the backside, but that just encourages them to ensure the paperwork is done right (if they haven't done their job properly in the first place and trained the soldier not to break/loose the equipment).

[bobcat]

Originally Posted by Abbott Shaull

Gasp! The Army or any other service would charge PVT Snuffy overly inflated prices to replace his M4 Carbine that he lost. Ironically back 1988 the going rate for M16 was around 450-550...lol So that the M4 is down to 400 isn't logical.

they found a cheaper bidder. besides everyone knows colt overcharges everyone for stuff. even my favorite uncle sam.

[Abbott Shaull]

Originally Posted by bobcat

they found a cheaper bidder. besides everyone knows colt overcharges everyone for stuff. even my favorite uncle sam.

Yeah well of course. Colt knows a good thing when they have one. Especially since they have been business since around the or shortly after the Civil War. They know the deal...lol

[Abbott Shaull]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

I feel so sorry for you Americans then. Over here, you loose it, you do the paperwork and you suffer the consequences for your shoddy performance.
That's not to say the next level or two up won't get a kick in the backside, but that just encourages them to ensure the paperwork is done right (if they haven't done their job properly in the first place and trained the soldier not to break/loose the equipment).

Oh but it was amazing at the alarming rate that weapons were lost. Especially by support troops who only accounted for their weapon when they loaded it into their HMMWV before leaving for the field and when they got back to barracks to turn the damn piece of useless equipment for them in...lol