Throughout my career the services walked 'close to the line', sometimes straying over what was acceptable. However, although the Chinook fiasco was bad, this seems like criminal activity from the people in power!! Sometimes in life, however painful the consequences, you have to say that enough is enough, is now that time? Service personnel know the job is risky and are acting bravely every day on operations. Going without the basic kit to do the job is just NOT ACCEPTABLE. Forget your career aspirations and LEAD your people, even if it means telling the ministry the truth. These are real people you are using to climb the ladder, support them as they support you.