Posted on 12/02/2013 2:01:31 AM PST by darrellmaurina
Big-ticket weapons like aircraft carriers and the F-35 fighter jet have to be part of any conversation about cutting Pentagon spending to satisfy the mandatory budget reductions known as the sequester. But compensation for military personnel has to be on the table, too — even though no other defense issue is more politically volatile or emotionally fraught.
After a decade of war, the very idea of cutting benefits to soldiers, sailors and Marines who put their lives on the line seems ungrateful. But America’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan is over or winding down, and the Pentagon is obliged to find nearly $1 trillion in savings over 10 years. Tough choices will be required in all parts of the budget. Compensation includes pay, retirement benefits, health care and housing allowances. It consumes about half the military budget, and it is increasing.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
“One problem is that unrestrained compensation costs will edge out funds for training, readiness and weapons. A recent Congressional Budget Office study said that between 2001 and 2012, when private-sector wages were effectively flat, basic military pay rose by 28 percent in inflation-adjusted dollars. The study also said that cash compensation for enlisted personnel, including food and housing allowances, is greater than the wages and salaries of 90 percent of their civilian counterparts. And health care costs are projected to rise from $51 billion in 2013 to $77 billion by 2022.”
Those of us who value our military cannot act as if a major New York Times editorial like this won't have effects. Many people who don't understand the military won't understand why these arguments are wrong, and agenda-setting articles like this need to be responded to, not ignored.
The other side doesn't always telegraph its intentions in advance, but when they do and we don't respond or at least prepare for our response, it's our own fault.
BOHICA
I’m waiting for the New York Times analysis of the past 60 years and the TRILLIONS of dollars in wealth transfers,the redundant welfare programs to end poverty,which has done,guess what,INCREASED POVERTY,where is that report a-Holes at the Times.
They say Christmas has been commercialised,poverty has become a business,with the administrators becoming rich and the poor getting 5 cents on the dollar,and the tax payers getting raped
Back in the 60s, when I was enlisted, the only poor people I knew were married G.I.s.
I was single and a lot better off than the married guys.
How about putting handouts to parasites on the table?
The NYT is being dishonest. They know that the military spent a period of time catching up in pay. Therefore, their pay was intentionally raised, so it necessarily rose compared to civilian pay. THAT was the point.
Also, if they’re including hazardous duty pay, combat pay, and other incentive and specialty pays in their numbers, that his hardly fair since we have been at war since 2001.
But, John Q Citizen won’t remember these things, so they’ll be duped by the dishonest folks touting these numbers.
And as we speak, we’ll have soldiers dying overseas.
Obama CHOSE to disrespect our deceased and their families during the shutdown by refusing payment for the legitimate death expenses. At heart, these people despise the military, and see them as photo op in the best of times.
That tells me all I need to know.
I have a great idea: Raise military pay and benefits across the board. If that presents a financial challenge, then reduce manpower proportionally to offset the higher expenses.
Military cuts. Ok let’s start with the service academies. Throughput has not diminished and college ROTC programs are cheaper. Next, let’s slim down the senior officer corps. Also, look at retention bonuses for military. The senior executive service on the civilian side could use a scrub. Finally, a thinning of civil service employees would be beneficial.
I’ve got a better idea: why don’t we just disband the services completely until the Iranians and Chinese take over - or people like you decide you’d like to serve your country, not just somebody else’s kids.
This whole thing is just another ploy for Obama to wreck the country - assisted happily by the non- serving among us.
How about putting handouts to parasites on the table?
As of 2010 (including Iraq and Afghanistan)(estimated):
Operations and maintenance - $283.3 billion
Military Personnel - $154.2 billion
Procurement - $140.1 billion
Research, Development, Testing & Evaluation - $79.1 billion
Military Construction - $23.9 billion
Family Housing - $3.1 billion
Total Spending - $710 billion (actual),
as of 2012 - $663 billion.
Funny we were watching the Left behind series this weekend. It is scary the similarities in some of the events in the movie and today.
Indeed
An’ Tommy ain’t a bloomin’ fool — you bet that Tommy sees!
“Military cuts?” ........”let’s slim down the senior officer corps.”.......
Odumbo has already been doing this for some time so that when the SHTF, top leaders will not be available to resist him.
IMO, anyone wanting to reduce the salaries of our enlisted military should be subject to automatic “draft” INTO the military and let them live on the salary of an enlisted man/woman. Perhaps then, they would sign a different tune.
We need 4 more army divisions, another Marine division, 2 carrier groups, and 2 air wings, far more than we need the departments of education, labor, hud, homeland security, etc.
Get rid of those and add divisions.
With China stirring up trouble in the Pacific and Russia rebuilding their fleet , it only make sense for us to cut our military.
In the minds of what idiots?
Military ping.
They have a LOT of balls, talking about "unrestrained compensation"!
It's not like the nation can't afford it - the debt ceiling just got raised, and the Fed is working three shifts printing all the money we need! < /s>
Cut welfare/EBT, and break the unions. We could fund a third-world infantry division for life on the savings.
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