Where your money goes to die

GAO has designated DoD Financial Management as "High Risk" since 1995. In FY2022 the DoD made approximately $500 billion in unsupported accounting adjustments to force its books to balance — entries made without adequate supporting documentation. DoD has never passed a clean audit; the FY2022 audit was its fifth consecutive disclaimer of opinion.

Multiple IG reports and GAO audits have consistently documented approximately $100 million per year in improper or fraudulent use of government travel cards — personal purchases, cash withdrawals, and purchases at prohibited vendors billed to the government. Despite repeated audits, controls remain inadequate.

A DoD IG report found approximately $2.6 billion in deferred maintenance across privatized and government-owned military housing. Families reported mold, lead paint, pest infestations, and structural deficiencies. BAMC and other privatized housing operators received management fees while deferring repairs.

The F-35 program's estimated lifetime sustainment cost reached $1.7 trillion — $38 billion (2.3%) above the original estimate. GAO found that required availability and reliability targets had never been met in operational conditions. The program is now expected to cost more per flight hour than the aircraft it replaced.

DoD IG found that TRICARE claims processing times exceeded targets by 40%, with some claims taking 6+ months. Military families reported paying out-of-pocket while waiting for reimbursement.

Despite spending $1.9B on recruiting, the Army missed its FY2023 target by 10,000 soldiers. The Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force also fell short. GAO found recruiting approaches were outdated and inefficient.

DoD IG estimated $7.1 billion in military equipment was left behind or transferred to Afghan forces that subsequently fell to the Taliban, including vehicles, aircraft, and weapons.

Army IG found $1.1 billion in improper BAH payments over three years due to failure to update dependency status, duplicate payments, and systemic finance office errors.

GAO found that privatized military housing companies continued to expose families to mold, lead, and pest infestations while receiving $2.2B annually. Oversight remains inadequate despite 2019 reforms.

The Department of Defense failed its seventh consecutive comprehensive financial audit. Auditors were unable to account for trillions in assets and transactions. No single branch has achieved a clean audit opinion.