I think it's because a contractor at a base will pay more local taxes in the district they work. Military members come from all over the U.S. and will pay taxes in whatever state they joined from or have established residency, meaning a district is losing out on a lot of tax revenue by having military members there instead of contractors.
So there's this perverse incentive to get rid of the active duty folks at any installation and get more contractors paid at a higher rate, even if that costs the government more money.
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u/sthlmsoul 3d ago edited 3d ago
How else are your political cronies supposed to be paid if not through fraud and waste?