Hopefully smearing government military contractors will come a little less easy for you.
What are you talking about? Rust on a ship is a maintenance issue. Hopefully it will be addressed while in port now.
DB2
DB2
So I quickly dug into this.
Rust is common with all steel ships. Mea Culpa
But lead does only a little to slow the rust. The article is a naval hit piece trying to make too much of a claim about lead stopping rust.
It is a poor article by a blogger.
Lead in 1978 was removed from use on naval ships.
The linked article doesn’t talk about lead paint. Its focus is the changes due to paint solvents.
DB2
“On the appearance side, you have to be ready, you have to look like you mean business,” said the Vice Admiral Peter Daly of USNI. “Now that COVID has eased off and port calls are less restrictive, is there time to lay to and paint?” The question comes after many photos of rust-worn American naval ships have hit the internet…
In an interview with top marine coatings experts gCaptain learned that environmental restrictions have forced suppliers to remove some of the nasty chemicals contained in marine paint, nasty substances that prevent rust. That’s a good thing. The problem is that the commercial world has compensated for the lack of nasty chemicals with new technology and paint application systems which have been quickly adopted by the commercial world but are stuck in the quagmire of the Navy’s cumbersome acquisition process…
Boert’s book could help the Navy because the problems it faces are not linear in nature. A perfect storm has descended on the world’s premier Navy and rust is just one symptom of larger systemic problems. From manning issues to overextended deployments, from budget issues to not enough ships being built, with no national maritime strategy, the US Navy is suffering from a cacophony of problems after playing second fiddle for nearly two decades to a land-focused war on terror.
DB2
Rust is rust, but then there’s food.
Military.com’s interviews with eight soldiers and review of photos from Fort Carson facilities found recurring problems. Food runs out quickly, and portions often fall short of the macronutrient requirements needed to sustain soldiers’ demanding physical regimens, likely running afoul of service regulations on feeding requirements for troops. Some soldiers reported and shared photos of food that was undercooked or stored at dangerous temperatures.
…When kiosk shelves are stocked, they’re often filled with chips, sugary snacks and other items that soldiers say fall short of the nutritional standards required to maintain physical fitness as demanded by their jobs. Frustration over food issues has prompted some unit leaders to instruct troops to document the issue, capturing photos of the low-quality food or barren shelves to escalate concerns to higher-level leadership, though it’s unclear what official complaints have been filed.
DB2
Ft Carson is contiguous to Colorado Springs.
Two Costcos, Whole Foods, multiple Natural Grocers, Sprouts, Safeway, King Soopers, Walmarts in the area.
University CO - CO Springs has a big campus.
Lots of retirees n such in the area rely on Ft Carson services.
It’s a significant US military installation.
US Forest Service has a major hub here.
With no other information, I’m skeptical of this “military.com” article.
Mis/dis information?
ralph
Is the food service run by the army, or has it been “privatized”? Many of these complaints are similar to the complaints when Michigan prisons made an ideology driven switch to a for-profit food service company.
Steve
1 Like
Easy to fix. Require the corp execs to exclusively be fed the same meals served at the locations they service–from those food prep areas. Things will suddenly change when the execs are essentially fed gruel for any meal.
The are lots of junior troops who don’t live off base. They rely on mess halls (now called dining facilities, DF) along with government supplied housing, electricity, etc.
Either way, it is up to the military to spend the money and make sure it is adequate.
Here’s another report, from last year, from Fort Calazos (Fort Hood) Texas – the second or third largest base in the world, over 300 square miles (50% larger than Chicago).
One of the Army’s largest bases has been barely able to keep its food services up and running for months, according to soldiers stationed there and dining facility schedules reviewed by Military.com.
The situation at Fort Cavazos, Texas – previously known as Fort Hood – has left some junior enlisted with few options for meals, as top officials on base struggle to juggle logistics while most of its cooks are on deployments, missions or serving field training and other events.
The base had only two of its 10 major dining options open every day for much of the summer with three others open only during limited times. The closures forced many soldiers to drive long distances across base, sometimes an hour round trip for their meals.
DB2
The US Navy’s amphibious assault force is failing to provide enough vessels for use by the US Marine Corps, with half of the fleet in poor condition and some ships having been unavailable for years at a time, according to a report by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO). Published on 3 December 2024, the GAO report painted a concerning picture for a capability that is crucial to the ability of the US Marine Corps to move into theatre, with the US Navy mandated to maintain a 31-ship fleet to meet its requirements.
As of March 2024, half of the amphibious fleet “is in poor condition” and these ships were “not on track to meet their expected service lives”, the GAO report revealed.
DB2
And I was reading recently about how the navy does not have enough tankers. But the US spends nearly a Trillion/year on “defense”. Where does the money go?
Steve
2 Likes
Seems like a heck of a lot of it goes to “consultants”, mostly people who have retired from service after 20/25 years and are drawing a government pension, but still have a few good decades of “work” (consulting, etc) left in them. This is also the way government reports way fewer people “working for government” than really are being [effectively] paid by government. Also, because they are external contractors, they aren’t stuck on the GS scale anymore, and can be paid a whole lot more.
1 Like
The US Army has a stellar, centuries old reputation for outstanding cuisine and impeccable dining experiences. Troops complaining about the food is shocking and completely without precedent in the history of the US armed forces.
2 Likes
“The US Army has a stellar, centuries old reputation for outstanding cuisine”
I remember Tim from Canada that used to post here, he was on sub watch, and if I remember right, he said Canadian service chow was so bad that they liked to hit the American ( or maybe it was NATO) chow line they they got the chance, lol.
Also remember reading that the British service chow was the worst.
Elon Musk.
Etc., etc., etc.
1 Like
A good question, Steve. Please sent an e-mail to Elon and have DOGE look into it.
At any rate, in December the GAO issued a report on our amphibious fleet.
Navy Needs to Complete Key Efforts to Better Ensure Ships Are Available for Marines
Amphibious warfare ships are critical for Marine Corps missions, but the Navy has struggled to ensure they are available for operations and training. In some cases, ships in the amphibious fleet have not been available for years at a time…
As of March 2024, half of the amphibious fleet is in poor condition and these ships are not on track to meet their expected service lives.
DB2
English food is terrible no matter where you get it. Astonishing that when served in mess tents prepared by the bucket full that it wouldn’t be improved.
And get myself investigated for asking a question they don’t want to hear? NO!
Steve