Dreams involving military settings often indicate feelings of discipline, duty, and a sense of responsibility. In your dream, the malfunctioning refrigerator could symbolize a sense of dissatisfaction or frustration with how things are being handled in your life, particularly in relation to authority or leadership.

The act of the refrigerator being painted rather than replaced might suggest that you feel there are superficial changes happening around you, rather than substantial improvements. This could reflect a situation in your waking life where you feel that problems are not being genuinely addressed and that you’re being misled about the state of affairs.

The dream might be encouraging you to examine areas in your life where you feel things are not what they seem. It's also a reminder to trust your instincts and to seek deeper truths rather than accept things at face value. Consider evaluating any current situations or relationships where you may feel this sense of disillusionment, and think about how you can advocate for genuine change.