Fact check: What is the budget allocation process for US military ceremonial events?

1. Summary of the results

The US military budget allocation follows a complex Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) system that involves multiple stakeholders including the Department of Defense, Office of Management and Budget, and Congressional committees ^[1]. The process begins more than two years before the fiscal year starts ^[1] and manages a substantial budget - $851.7 billion for Fiscal Year 2023 ^[1], which represents approximately half of all discretionary federal spending ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question focuses specifically on ceremonial events, but this represents a fundamental misunderstanding of how military budgeting works. The budget allocation process:

• Is comprehensive and covers the entire defense budget, not individual ceremonial events ^[1]
• Involves multiple key stakeholders including the Office of the Secretary of Defense and military services ^[1]
• Is currently under review, with a Commission recommending significant reforms for better strategic alignment ^[1]

Furthermore, there are significant efficiency concerns in the current system:

• Documentation shows $85 million lost in F-35 spare parts
• Maintenance of unnecessary equipment
• Purchase of ineffective military hardware that doesn't meet operational requirements ^[3]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question's focus on ceremonial events misses the larger context of military budget allocation. Several groups have vested interests in how the budget is allocated:

• Military contractors benefit from large defense contracts
• Political interests influence budget decisions
• National security needs drive allocation priorities ^[2]

The budget process is far more complex and encompasses the entire military operation, not just ceremonial events. The focus on ceremonies might unintentionally minimize the scale and complexity of military budget allocation, which manages hundreds of billions of dollars and involves multiple government agencies and stakeholders.