Defense spending is high and everybody knows that. But

[Prosper]

what people don’t know is how much is wasted. From my own experience when I was in the Navy I took a brand new just received million dollar boat to be rebuilt. The reason this was done was if we didn’t use that money our next budget would be reduced by that amount.

Most new systems are developed from money given by the department of defense to explore new systems.

[handmade34]

1. I have heard that a number of times

"if we didn’t use that money our next budget would be reduced" not just defense, other factions of government as well

[gratuitous]

2. I've heard it going back to Vietnam

I worked with a guy who was in the Navy, patrolling off Haiphong during the Vietnam conflict. He and his crew were interested in doing as little as possible, hoping not to be attacked, and hoping not to have to fire on anyone. He recounted that one year, at the time of congressional appropriations, the commander came down the line and ordered everyone to dump (some, not all) unused ammo over the side, followed by (some, not all) weapons. The justification being a reduced budget. It's been going on for a long time.

I have no idea if it's true. The military budget goes up every year, whether the country is in a hot war, a cold war, a shooting war, a staring war, or (though it hasn't happened in my lifetime) no war at all. It may be a self-perpetuating myth.