Sailors Grounded by Broken Ovens
The USS Gerald R. Ford, a floating fortress, feeds 15,300 meals daily to its crew. Yet Navy Secretary John Phelan told senators that six of the ship's eight ovens were broken, stalling operations. Skilled sailors were available, yet contract rules blocked them from making repairs. Manufacturers, hiding behind intellectual property claims, insist their technicians handle fixes, leaving our Navy waiting.
This issue extends beyond kitchens. When elevators on the same ship fail, sailors wait for contractors to arrive, diagnose, and repair what trained service members could address quickly. Phelan's frustration was palpable at a Senate hearing: 'It is crazy. We need to fix this.' He's absolutely correct, and the consequences reach far beyond one ship.
Our military's reliance on corporate repair monopolies threatens national security, drains budgets, and disrespects the troops who serve us. For years, defense contractors have set the terms, placing their profits above our forces' readiness. This situation is untenable and requires immediate action.
Known as 'right to repair,' this issue has ignited a movement, with the military as its latest battleground. From farmers unable to fix tractors to families facing costly phone repairs, the fight against corporate control unites us all. When our armed forces are at stake, the urgency to act becomes undeniable.
Why are sailors, trained to maintain warships, sidelined by a broken oven? Why do taxpayers pay for contractor travel when service members are ready to act? The answer lies in a system that prioritizes corporate gain over public interest. This system demands dismantling.
The Price of Corporate Dominance
The financial toll is staggering. Operating and support costs account for 70 percent of a weapon system's life-cycle, with contractor employees costing nearly three times more than Defense Department civilians. When a drone requires a $26,000 repair for a minor issue because only the manufacturer can intervene, or when F-35 maintainers lack access to technical data, our forces lose critical time.
Senator Elizabeth Warren's Servicemember Right-to-Repair Act proposes a clear solution. It mandates contractors share technical data at reasonable prices and mandates cost-saving repair strategies for major weapons programs. This approach strengthens our troops' ability to respond in a crisis while saving taxpayer dollars.
Groups like US PIRG and the Project on Government Oversight have shown that contractor monopolies drive up costs and delay repairs. Their data suggests that repair access could save billions and boost readiness. A 2025 poll revealed that 74 percent of voters support this change, with support significantly outweighing opposition.
Some defend intellectual property rights, claiming they drive innovation. Yet when these rights prevent our military from maintaining its own equipment, they undermine security. Companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing profit while our troops wait, and that's unacceptable.
Recent Pentagon efforts offer hope. In 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the Army to include repair rights in all contracts, and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll is renegotiating past agreements. Directives offer a start, but lasting change requires laws.
A Fight for Fairness
The military's struggle reflects a broader global push. In 2025, five U.S. states enacted laws that compel manufacturers to provide repair tools and parts for devices ranging from smartphones to wheelchairs. California's 2023 law, the nation's strongest, prohibits digital locks that prevent independent repairs. The European Union is advancing similar measures, linking repair access to environmental goals.
This battle is about power. When corporations control repairs, they dictate our lives, our budgets, and our defense. Senator Warren ties this to a larger principle: whether you're a sailor fixing a radar or a farmer repairing equipment, ownership grants control, eliminating dependence.
Critics warn that open repairs could lead to poor quality or leaked trade secrets. But our service members, bound by strict standards, are highly trained. Contractors already share data with their own repair shops, so why not with the Pentagon? The true danger is allowing corporate gatekeepers to jeopardize our security.
Building a Stronger Future
Progress is possible. The White House's 2025 procurement reforms, including Executive Order 14240, seek simpler rules and centralized purchasing to reduce waste. The Defense Department is renegotiating contract terms to secure better data rights, empowering our forces. These efforts align with the National Defense Authorization Act's focus on domestic supply chains to lessen foreign reliance.
Further action is necessary. Congress passing Warren's bill is crucial to enshrine repair rights for all military branches. Transparency in sustainment costs and penalties for overcharging contractors are essential. Every delayed repair, every inflated invoice, reminds us that our troops deserve better.
Sailors could repair their ship's ovens in hours, soldiers could print spare parts in the field, and taxpayers would not be overcharged by corporate intermediaries. This future is within reach, provided we act with resolve.
The right to repair represents a commitment to our service members, a principle deeper than mere policy. They risk everything for us. They deserve the tools to keep their equipment, and our nation, ready.