My EX husband joined the Army aged 16. He was educated by them and given opportunities he never would have had. He went through the ranks and at 35 and a Warrant Officer 1st class was offered a commission. We divorced when he was a Sgt. Though he wasn't a fighting soldier he knew at any time he could be sent to a war zone.
I can't speak for the soldiers of today Elvis but when I was in (80s/90's) everyone knew that buying British (as the MOD did) meant more often than not you were getting second rate gear!
That's why the likes of Silvermans and similar firms made an absolute fortune from soldiers wanting the best kit for doing the specific job.
So are you blaming the government buyers Chill for the boots etc. As I see it the squadies could not go and buy their armoured vehicles. Didn't the government buy the best available at that time?
Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to choose/purchase our own firearms but it gives you an indication of the kind of problems faced when this was brought into service: