This short video, released jointly by Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington (CREW) and the Brave New Foundation, reveals the extent of the Pentagon’s revolving door phenomenon, in which retired high-ranking generals and admirals cash in on their years of military experience by taking lucrative jobs with the war industry.
CREW found 70 percent of the 108 three-and-four star generals and admirals who retired between 2009 and 2011 took jobs with military contractors or consultants. In at least a few cases, these retirees have continued to advise the Department of Defense — all while on the payroll of the weapons industry.
Key Findings:
- Retired generals can make more than their yearly military pay by serving on corporate boards
- Contractors have increased spending on lobbying for 40 percent in the last five years
- The U.S. government paid the top five weapons contractors $113 billion in 2011
- As of early 2012, 68 percent of lobbyists for the top five military contractors had prior public sector experience
- Pentagon rules prohibiting the revolving door are riddled with loopholes
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