What are the opportunity costs of the United States maintaining a large and technologically sophisticated military force? What are the benefits to the country? Do you think the benefits are worth the cost? In FY2020, the budget for the US defense spending was $778 billion and half of the total discretionary spending (Source: Peter G Peterson Foundation July 2021).his defense spending was more than the next 11 largest militaries, whose combined spending came to $761 billion for the calendar year. Please explicit in naming at least 3 benefits and 3 costs of maintaining such a high level of defense spending.