Opinion: Service members need the right to repair their own equipment to save lives

Summary

An Air Force veteran recounts a harrowing experience in Iraq where a generator failure threatened the mortuary facility's ability to preserve remains of fallen soldiers. The article argues that service members need the right to repair their own equipment — including tools, parts, and authority — to make immediate fixes without navigating bureaucratic red tape. It critiques the military's reliance on contractors and centralized maintenance processes that create dangerous delays in critical situations.