I remember during the Clinton years, we didn't have training funds for M200 Blank 5.56mm. We had MILES equipment, afterall, that was reusable, durable equipment. But we had no blanks to make the MILES lasers function. Joes in Rifle Squads were running around like kids playing cowboys and indians, shouting "BANG!"
No parts for armored vehicles. Ft Polk, 1991-1992, 5th ID, we had an M577A2 Command Post Tracked Vehicle and an M113A2 APC for my section Fire Direction Center because some O4 in S-3 or S-4 wanted the Winnebago of APCs. I didn't care, the M113A2 was lower silhoutte and even came with an M2HB 50BMG instead of the TC on the M577 using an M249 SAW propped up on the generator set.
I got tasked to drive around an E8 to evaluate the Scout Platoon, I said No Can Do, track doesn't operate in reverse. BN Motor Chief "Circle Xed" the deadline deficiency, with comment "Operate Only in Forward Gear" Duh!
So I'm following this 3 vehicle section of M3 Bradleys, the E8 decided it would be much more efficient for him to actually ride in the Scout M3 to evaluate the crew and that I should just follow closely so I could drive him back to our admin area when the mission was over. Ok. Nightime ops, M113A2 had only PVS-5B single tube NVG for me, the Brads have their high speed night vision. So I'm about 25-30 yards behind this M3 Bradley following slowly in blackout conditions, when they decided to start moving in reverse in a high rate of speed, I tried beeping the horn (good luck hearing that with just the vehicle running), he kept coming driving up the front slope, all I could do is drop down into the driver compartment, the M3 Brad got so close the image in my PVS-5B was a big blurr (that's close). IT wound up crushing the service drive lamp, blackout IR lamp and the thick steel guard overtop, meaning this Bradley was 2 feet from my face, its ass sticking way up in the air by time they figured out something was wrong.
I found another partially broken lamp in the motorpool dumpster when we got back. And pounded the shit out of the guard bracket with sledgehammer until it would somewhat fit. I did get another transfer gearcase though, finally.
But everything from nuts and bolts, OD/Black/Brown spray paint for equipment maintenance after field training, it all came out of the vehicle crew pockets. I mean, it was that or get gigged for flunking an inspection for having bare metal exposed on your tools and equipment. "Sarge, supply says they don't have any Paint, Spray, Olive Drab Shade, One Each"
"That's no excuse. Unless you want to work the weekend I suggest you find a solutions"
OK, everybody chip in $10 each to buy about 9 cans of spray paint in various colors from the AAFES PX/Shopette.