The Secret Side of Military Spending

The United States Military budget rose for 11 consecutive years, going from $354 billion in 2011 to $721 billion in 2011. That's an increase of 104%. While 2012's proposed budget signals the first decline in military spending in over a decade, it is a drop in the bucket and if the past is any indication, actual spending will surpass the budget and once again take us into record territory.

The New Defense Bill

Authorizes $662 billion in military spending through 2012

Is $27 billion less than Obama's request

Is $43 billion less than what the Pentagon received in 2011

How The Money Gets Used

46.7% is spent on personnel

24.2% is spent on equipment

28.1% is spent on "other"

1% is spent on infrastructure

5.8 billion was spent on military robotics in 2010

The Wastes of War

$360 million spent by the US has ended up in the hands of the Taliban via profiteering, bribery and extortion

$20.2 billion spent on air conditioning in Iraq and Afghanistan

$363 million spent on weight loss surgery for military family members

$11 billion per year is wasted or lost in Iraq. This could have paid the salary of 220,000 teachers.

If $1 billion were spent on green investments, health care or education rather than military it would generate 5,000 to 17,000 jobs

The yearly cost of stationing one soldier in Iraq could feed 60 American families

The Pentagon spends more on war than all 50 states combined spend on health, education, welfare and safety

USA vs The World

43% of all the military spending on earth is by the USA

The US only makes up 5% of the world's population

America spends more on its military than all other countries combined

Who's Profiting