Chairs

When they did the initial standup of the courthouse area they bought some decent chairs. Enough in each courtroom for 3 board members, a translator, and some in the back for those that watch (like CNN). Since then (summer 07) we have really worn out the chairs. The chairs in the courtrooms now are all broken. Some have lopsided bases because the wheels broke off, some have lost arms, and many have just plain broken (seats separated from the base and guys come crashing down). I myself have fallen – right in the middle of a case – because the chair I was in finally gave away. Some might say this is because we eat too much in the DFAC. Actually I think we just bought cheap chairs and we are hard on them. Many of “full-grown” adults in and out of them with weapons slung on the hips and other stuff jammed into our cargo pockets. They are literally falling apart. We have some even cheaper chairs in the office area we work in. These metal folding ones collapse on a regular basis. They just aren’t built to withstand the punishment we put on them. You would not think it was hard to construct sturdy chairs…but apparently it is. Someone told me we put in an order for new chairs. I’ve watched the “new” chairs be used in other parts of the base. And they are worse. They are even cheaper metal/plastic type chairs that break as well. Too funny. Mighty US military and cheap worthless chairs. Such is life at Camp-B. Top-Dollars spent on some things and on others…not so much. As an acquisition guy I can’t help but see the “lowest bidder” versus “best value” issue here. Is it better to buy many cheap chairs or costly but durable chairs?