Political-industrial complex

As President Eisenhower left office in 1961, he warned of the dangers the "military-industrial complex."

This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. [Source]

Indeed, Eisenhower's concern was that the military, in conjunction with the armaments industry, would influence the government to its own interests.

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

I don't think he foresaw this, though -- that political interests would overtake the military's desire for state-of-the-art equipment.
According to an April 28th Army Times article, Congress is ignoring the Army's request to stop ordering more tanks. "In the case of the Abrams tank, there’s a bipartisan push to spend an extra $436 million on a weapon the experts explicitly say is not needed." According to Gen. Odierno, the Army's chief of staff, "If we had our choice, we would use that money in a different way."

Why is Congress so adamant on buying unnecessary equipment? "Politics. Keeping the Abrams production line rolling protects businesses and good paying jobs in congressional districts where the tank’s many suppliers are located."

Apparently, cutting the Army's budget is a fine idea, except when it means sacrificing constituents' jobs.

In other news, USA Today reported on April 25th that, "military families and their advocates are battling an Obama administration proposal to limit troops' pay raises to 1% in 2014, the lowest increase" since 1963. (The second lowest was 2011, when it was 1.4%)

Junky annual pay increases are one thing (they're better than the 0% annual pay increases I got in the private sector) but when Congress pushes pork down the Army's throat while simultaneously slashing the payroll, I think something's a bit skewed.