So, you're saying the military is super-efficient and just can't do it with less money? Every dollar spent is spent wisely and to maximum effect?
Wait a minute... We're talking US military here, right?
I’ve seen military organasations from the inside for a couple of decades, and I’ve dealt with large corporations for about that amount of time as well.
The military is no more or less efficient than any other large organization. Of course there is waste and it is mostly the waste that is forced on it just like the waste that is forced on private companies.
The military spends an ungodly amount of money on things like environmental compliance, and if they don’t comply, they spend it on fines to the EPA and state regulators.
That is only one example. Another is the waste in the contracting process that if forced on it by the law; small contractors, minority contractor, disabled contractor preferences and the lawsuits that come from them if everything is not performed to a 20,000 page manual.
In effect the regulations cause most of the inefficiency and unless those are changed and you cut $1T from the defense budget, you just might find yourself wondering where the military is when you need them. They are talking of mothballing a couple of carrier battle groups already.
If you want to live with a reduced capability, OK. I can live with it too. Just know what it means.