I know this is such an emotional issue but we couldn’t even get GSA toilet paper in the early 80’s, that’s how far it went. You bought the stuff yourself and carried it around all day with you.
Hanger queens were the norm not the exception and the vehicles were so bad if something dropped on the floor board of the trucks it would likely fall out through the rust holes.
The quality of the human capitol was so bad everything had to be reduced to comic book form. The manuals were literally two color comic books.
Not emoting, simply stating facts about 2 significant events as I and countless thousands of others experienced them.
There were “groups” based on enlistment periods that were screwed at their 17th or 18th year by changes in the retirement system. Switched to High 3 or given Redux, depending on their period.
VEAP was a friggin’ joke to begin with, and yes, I and a few thousand others were screwed because of that program. I have 0 veteran’s educational benefits because of it and the gap left when it was converted to the MGIB.
These were personnel cuts that affected the active duty prior to their potential retirement, in breach of contract.
I worked on many a hangar queen in my day, cannibalizing engine parts from the engine shop in the middle of the night so jets loaded with material could make their missions, etc. I too saw vehicles as you describe...equipment and tools as well...it was a dangerous time to be an aircraft mechanic.
But to throw those who upheld their end of the bargain, served their nation honorably and in many cases, with distinction, under the bus while protecting the dregs of society is foolishness.