Long Wars, Long Contracts: Why Army Procurement Belongs in Your Portfolio - Part 3
3
Preparing Yourself—and Future Generations—for Biological and Supply-Chain Risks
Now that we've envisioned that fraught moment—when calm could give way to chaos—we need to talk about one of the silent but very real vulnerabilities so many retirees face: their medicine cabinet.
Medication Supply Chains: The Hidden Vulnerability
We rely heavily on foreign sources for our medications. In fact, about 75% of essential medicines in the U.S. are imported, with India and China playing outsized roles—China alone supplies 80% of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), the substances that make drugs effective.
To put it in human terms: many retirees depend on life-sustaining drugs—like those for heart disease, diabetes, antibiotics—that come with three-week delivery windows. What if a crisis disrupts that pipeline?
Consider this: 40% of generic drugs in the U.S. come from a single FDA-approved manufacturer. If that plant goes offline—even momentarily—the drugs disappear from shelves. In 2024 alone, the U.S. saw an all-time high of over 300 drug shortages, affecting asthma treatments, psychiatric meds, chemotherapy—across the board.
COVID-19 shone a harsh light on how fragile this system is. Factories in India and China were shuttered, production slowed, and suddenly simple items like inhalers or antibiotics were scarce.
Tariffs, geopolitical tensions, or trade disputes could instantly reignite shortages—this time not from a pandemic, but from strategic moves in a global standoff.
A Biological or Chemical Attack: More Than Just a Movie Plot
Let’s take this farther. What if it’s not just supply disruptions—but a biological or chemical release targeting civilian or critical infrastructure?
This isn’t speculation. U.S. agencies have long prepared for covert releases of pathogens—viruses, bacteria, toxins—by focusing on preparedness, surveillance, and fast diagnostics.
Imagine a plane dispersing a cocktail of aerosolized agents—perhaps a DNA virus and an RNA virus—over a city’s water system, or even across planting zones near production facilities. Cities with centralized water supplies and high-density housing could face severe, rapid outbreaks. The chaos could overwhelm emergency responders before a pattern even emerges.
During World Wars I and II, soldiers suffered from dysentery, trench fever, and unsanitary conditions—small agents bringing down entire armies. Today, our seniors live in communities where gardening is banned, food deliveries are common, and communal facilities dominate. The convenience keeps us safe on good days—but what about the bad ones?
Grit, Community, and Resilience in the Face of Fear
You’ve lived through hurricanes in Florida, storms in the Midwest, social unrest, even the COVID lockdowns. You know what human beings are capable of: recovering, rebuilding, and returning to normal, even when everything seems broken.
But what if the disruption is slower, more insidious? That’s where personal preparedness matters:
Stockpile essentials: Keep a modest six-week supply of medications, non-perishable food, water storage, and vitamins on hand.
Know your formulations: Some medications may have alternatives or multiple sources. Consult your physician or pharmacist to diversify your prescriptions if possible.
Stay connected locally: Your neighborhood network—whether church groups, local watch, gardening clubs—can be your first line of support.
This isn't fear-mongering. It’s common-sense realism. Think of it as being a steadfast anchor for families and younger generations—your experiences through World War II, Vietnam, or earlier storms can guide them now.
Why This Matters for Our Military Procurement Portfolio
Finally, all of this circles back to why we invest in companies behind hypersonic missiles, drones, smart munitions, and battlefield sensors.
We don’t invest simply for profit—or headline-making tech (though that’s exciting). We invest for resilience:
A nation with strong defense contractors is more resilient in a crisis—able to respond, protect, and supply rapidly, whether it’s ammunition, detection systems, or radioemergency infrastructure.
When we, as retirees, hold these equities long-term, we're not just growing our savings; we’re supported by systems that help keep society—and our access to care and stability—intact.
In Summary:
1. Medication supply is fragile, especially for retirees; we must take proactive steps.
2. Biological and chemical threats are real—and readiness matters just as much as stockpiles.
3. Human resilience is our safeguard, especially when directed by those with lived experience.
4. Our investment choices matter—they support the systems that underpin national strength in crisis.
In the next segment, we'll explore specific technologies—like the hypersonic Dark Eagle and smart munitions—not just as weapons, but as pillars of national resilience and, by extension, our financial well-being.
Until then, think again about what you have in your home, your mind, and your portfolio—and how they all work together to buffer you against the unpredictable.
Preparing Yourself—and Future Generations—for Biological and Supply-Chain Risks
Now that we've envisioned that fraught moment—when calm could give way to chaos—we need to talk about one of the silent but very real vulnerabilities so many retirees face: their medicine cabinet.
Medication Supply Chains: The Hidden Vulnerability
We rely heavily on foreign sources for our medications. In fact, about 75% of essential medicines in the U.S. are imported, with India and China playing outsized roles—China alone supplies 80% of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), the substances that make drugs effective.
To put it in human terms: many retirees depend on life-sustaining drugs—like those for heart disease, diabetes, antibiotics—that come with three-week delivery windows. What if a crisis disrupts that pipeline?
Consider this: 40% of generic drugs in the U.S. come from a single FDA-approved manufacturer. If that plant goes offline—even momentarily—the drugs disappear from shelves. In 2024 alone, the U.S. saw an all-time high of over 300 drug shortages, affecting asthma treatments, psychiatric meds, chemotherapy—across the board.
COVID-19 shone a harsh light on how fragile this system is. Factories in India and China were shuttered, production slowed, and suddenly simple items like inhalers or antibiotics were scarce.
Tariffs, geopolitical tensions, or trade disputes could instantly reignite shortages—this time not from a pandemic, but from strategic moves in a global standoff.
A Biological or Chemical Attack: More Than Just a Movie Plot
Let’s take this farther. What if it’s not just supply disruptions—but a biological or chemical release targeting civilian or critical infrastructure?
This isn’t speculation. U.S. agencies have long prepared for covert releases of pathogens—viruses, bacteria, toxins—by focusing on preparedness, surveillance, and fast diagnostics.
Imagine a plane dispersing a cocktail of aerosolized agents—perhaps a DNA virus and an RNA virus—over a city’s water system, or even across planting zones near production facilities. Cities with centralized water supplies and high-density housing could face severe, rapid outbreaks. The chaos could overwhelm emergency responders before a pattern even emerges.
During World Wars I and II, soldiers suffered from dysentery, trench fever, and unsanitary conditions—small agents bringing down entire armies. Today, our seniors live in communities where gardening is banned, food deliveries are common, and communal facilities dominate. The convenience keeps us safe on good days—but what about the bad ones?
Grit, Community, and Resilience in the Face of Fear
You’ve lived through hurricanes in Florida, storms in the Midwest, social unrest, even the COVID lockdowns. You know what human beings are capable of: recovering, rebuilding, and returning to normal, even when everything seems broken.
But what if the disruption is slower, more insidious? That’s where personal preparedness matters:
Stockpile essentials: Keep a modest six-week supply of medications, non-perishable food, water storage, and vitamins on hand.
Know your formulations: Some medications may have alternatives or multiple sources. Consult your physician or pharmacist to diversify your prescriptions if possible.
Stay connected locally: Your neighborhood network—whether church groups, local watch, gardening clubs—can be your first line of support.
This isn't fear-mongering. It’s common-sense realism. Think of it as being a steadfast anchor for families and younger generations—your experiences through World War II, Vietnam, or earlier storms can guide them now.
Why This Matters for Our Military Procurement Portfolio
Finally, all of this circles back to why we invest in companies behind hypersonic missiles, drones, smart munitions, and battlefield sensors.
We don’t invest simply for profit—or headline-making tech (though that’s exciting). We invest for resilience:
A nation with strong defense contractors is more resilient in a crisis—able to respond, protect, and supply rapidly, whether it’s ammunition, detection systems, or radioemergency infrastructure.
When we, as retirees, hold these equities long-term, we're not just growing our savings; we’re supported by systems that help keep society—and our access to care and stability—intact.
In Summary:
1. Medication supply is fragile, especially for retirees; we must take proactive steps.
2. Biological and chemical threats are real—and readiness matters just as much as stockpiles.
3. Human resilience is our safeguard, especially when directed by those with lived experience.
4. Our investment choices matter—they support the systems that underpin national strength in crisis.
In the next segment, we'll explore specific technologies—like the hypersonic Dark Eagle and smart munitions—not just as weapons, but as pillars of national resilience and, by extension, our financial well-being.
Until then, think again about what you have in your home, your mind, and your portfolio—and how they all work together to buffer you against the unpredictable.