Today’s paper prints this troubling AP story which reports:
The system for delivering badly needed gear to Marines in Iraq has failed to meet a large number of urgent calls for equipment submitted by troops in the field, according to an internal document obtained by The Associated Press.
Of more than 100 requests for critically needed items submitted by deployed Marine units from February 2006 to February 2007, less than 10 percent have been met, the document says. It blamed excessive bureaucracy and a “risk-averse” approach by acquisition officials.
“Process worship cripples operating forces,” according to the document. “Civilian middle management lacks technical and operational currency.”