With me, it depends on the "Mil-Spec". For instance, I really like if my radios meet Mil-810 (C-D-E). Nothing in there about how well the radio works, but depending on what sections of the spec are covered, I know exactly how waterproof/shockproof/vibrationproof it is (Believe it or not, LESS so for Revs D and E, because I don't know how they decided the vibration spectrum and SRS). But then again, I know how that testing is done. As for the rest of "Mil Spec" - I do like field jackets, and always have - for comfort, NOT performance.

AKA, I can draw the distiction between something the military BUYS and something that meets a particular "Mil Spec". Somethimes the spec is a good STARTING point