Ground Truth = Clueless REMF's* and there is no other word for it

Good, brave, resourceful American Soldiers are on the ground in Afghanistan, and here' an interesting story from the LA Times (reg req'd use: gorevidal/gorevidal to avoid spam) that should be more than a little infuriating.

An excerpt about asking for a Power Steering Pump for a Humvee:

Over the radio, they were told that their request for the pump had been denied because the Humvee could be driven without it. The men were incredulous. Trying to drive icy mountain switchbacks at high altitudes without power steering or power brakes would be suicidal.

Again, they were running up against ground truth. "They have no idea what the conditions are really like," Dan said. He paused and added: "Hell, we didn't know how difficult the conditions were till we got out here."

Finally, Dave, the captain, decided to repair the Humvee himself. Using parachute cord, he managed to connect engine fans to cool the engine and pump power steering fluid.

That's just sick. We're dropping gazillions of dollars into stoopid shit like missile defense and the REMF's in Afghanistan are denying parts to Long Range Patrols who need them? I think I'm gonna be sick.

*Rear Echelon MotherFuckers if you didn't know, a life form despised by the guys "on the line".