i always see this term from people that don't understand it.
not everything in the governemt is funded through tax money. they do have their own money to use and when thats not enough the rest comes from tax payers, and at the end of the year you get it back anyways. so what's it matter what they do with their money? if it wasnt for the government to begin with you would have no money and would be spending rations instead.

that looks nasty and now I know why we get that emblem

also, the military goes to the lowest bidder, regardless of quality, those flares probably cost close to nothing.

and trust me, it's true, lowest bidder wins... my roommate is a marine, I've heard stories and seen his pins and medals - shits gold plated plastic.