The US Army Is Giving Americans A Chance To Own A War-Used Humvee- Here’s How You Can Get One
...for the first time, the Pentagon is now...
Avatar of Norvell Rose Norvell Rose — December 18, 2014
The so-called “militarization” of America’s police and sheriff departments continues to stir controversy as the Pentagon transfers tons of surplus military equipment to local law enforcement agencies.
The Wall Street Journal reports that, in addition to gripes from civil liberties groups like the ACLU, even Capitol Hill lawmakers are complaining:
Senators…criticized federal programs that outfit police departments with military gear, saying they waste funds and sow mistrust between law enforcement and the communities they police.
But it’s not just law enforcement agencies that will have the use of leftover military vehicles — for the first time, the Pentagon is now auctioning off to the general public as many as 4,000 surplus Humvees the Army says it no longer needs for overseas combat operations.
As we learn from armytimes.com, the bidding has already begun on the vehicles that once served as troop or cargo carriers:
Since bidding started at $10,000 a couple of weeks ago, pent up demand has yielded bids on nearly all of the [first group of 25] Humvees — selling for off-road use only.
The Army Times report notes that the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) will have the thousands of surplus Humvees inspected for defects, and as long as they don’t feature military characteristics such as armor, they will be offered at public auction. Before the restrictions had been lifted, says the DLA, they might have been scrapped.
The vehicle auctions are being handled through the website govplanet.com, whose spokesman says:
“We know that there are thousands going through the screening process now, and some will be claimed by states and local governments, and anything not claimed will go through for public sale, through our marketplace.”
In addition to the camo-painted Humvees, the auction site also sells military cargo trucks, tractor trucks, utility trailers, forklifts and construction equipment.
And even though the used Hummers aren’t certified for travel on public roadways, as a report at ijreview.com observes, their new owners:
…get to have a little piece of the U.S. military. Built in America, for Americans, driven by the best among us.
It’s far cheaper than anything you’ll pay for at a dealership, as well as being the most memorable used car experience anyone could possibly have.
Read more at
http://www.westernjournalism.com/us-army-just-done-put-something-extraordinary-tree/#YmzJQLwRvqIB7L4C.99
