I disagree with the Health care part of it. From a common sense point of view our military service people have always been greatly underpaid so they do not have much in the way of out of pocket income. Their healthcare and other benefits are no where near what government employees (actually on all levels) are receiving. Many government employees receive incredible medical and other benefits, have greater salaries so why are we asking them to contribute more for out of pocket? They are paid more and their benefits are far better than the private sectors. While our military service employees even now are paid greatly under what is paid at the private sector level.
correction: so why are we “not” asking them to contribute more for out of pocket? I am speaking as a private sector employee. I have worked with some of these service people who have been trained and they are incredibly talented people who if they had worked private sector jobs would have been paid much more. Instead they have chose to serve our country and for some serve in hopes of getting a college education which they could not afford any other way. These are decent people.
You might want to take a look at the 2013 pay tables and allowances. A Major with just over 16 years is drawing well over $90,000 with rations and housing. A Master Sergeant is making over well over $65,000 with rations and quarters. The pay is to compensate for the potential hazards and deployments, not necessarily that person’s skillsets. Remember they pay no medical or dental. Education is essentially free while you are in and so is the gym. I work with the military all day everyday in very close quarters so you might want to take a second look at what they really are receiving. Also they are receiving 50% retiremnt after 20 years with medical benefits. Believe me there is plenty of room for payroll savings without loss of capability.