Military Materiel: Difficulty in Acquisition?

Noob question here but it's been bothering me for a while, what's the toughest metal to acquire in the military? Curious because I'm learning about the military's use of materials, equipment, etc. as I weigh my options after high school.

While the military indeed uses a wide range of materials for equipment and technology, there might not be a "toughest" or most difficult to acquire metal in the conventional sense. However, there are certainly some materials that are more challenging to obtain due to their cost, rarity, or environmental impact associated with their extraction.

For instance, materials such as titanium and tungsten are known for their high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, making them extremely valuable in military applications like aircraft construction and armor plating. Therefore, while titanium and tungsten are not inherently hard to find or extract, their processing can be costly and complicated. This makes them, to some extent, "difficult" to acquire but they are still widely used in the military due to their desirable properties.

Furthermore, the needs of the military are dynamic and change based on technological advancements and strategic requirements. This means that the "toughest" material to acquire can change over time as new materials are developed and old ones become obsolete.

Keep in mind as you consider your post-high school options that while understanding materials used in the military can be interesting, it's just one facet of military life. There are many aspects to consider such as its culture, lifestyle, job roles, benefits, and drawbacks.