I am going to make everybody here mad with this but the Military Compensation Package must be cut.
It part of my job to look at the numbers for DOD contractors and I have very good info that we paid real money for not the result of some shill for one cause or another.
The Facts are stark. The Military Compensation Package has always been the largest component of DOD spending and this percentage is rising at a very alarming rate due to the compounding of pay increases during the GWOT and medical costs. The slice of the pie that is discretionary consists of two parts, Procurement and Research and Technology. Due to the way Washington allocates money these two are lumped together it is a true zero sum. Until 2024 the CAGR of this slice of the pie is only 1.9%, in budget dollars but with inflation this is actually has a negative real growth rate.
If everybody was not mad at me before the will be now; but the casualties for the GWOT was remarkably light. I say this despite the fact that I lost two close friends early on. I live, they are gone.
The reason they were so light is unarguably due to the equipment and technology that provided a overwhelming technological advantage, or force multiplier to our commanders. This suite was enabled by investments in systems procured and R&T done before the conflict.
What this means in real no BS terms is that we are truly facing a Hollow Force similar to the Carter Years in the very near future. This was a very bad time for us in the military, I know I was there.
We did not even have hot water on base, though more the more enterprising of us disobeyed orders bought and installed small hot water heaters so the golden boys could have a hot shower after a long flight in a single seat fighter, if you get my drift.
My whole point is which is more responsible for us to do now? Slow down the growth in personnel costs now or pay for it later with the blood of a group of kids that are still in grade school?
This is not rhetoric but fact based on US History.
You are right, slow down the growth with a new retirement plan and change the rank and retirement system as recommended in 2006. What you do not do is go after those who have fullfilled their contractual obligation in anticipation of a retirement compensation. Make changes now and you will see real savings in 10 years. People can scam any system, the 10% exists everywhere in life. You do not punish the 90% who are simply asking for what they were promised. By the way, the courts ruled years ago that it was not legal for congress to pass a law that prevents double dipping on federal retirements. Anybody who works their ass off deserves what they EARN. I earned my retirement, it is not an entitlement.
1. The reason casualties are fewer in the recent wars has been the smaller enemy forces as compared to WW II, Korea and Vietnam and the much less aggressive tactics because of the worries about political fallout.
2. The compensation packages are barely sufficient to support the volunteer manning requirements, which more often than not include families, even for first-term enlistees.
Research, Testing, Development, and Engineering (RTD&E) is important, even vital but funding in those areas is squandered on dead ends, pet projects, GOBIs (General Officer Bright Ideas), and vendor "bright shiny objects". It doesn't help that the majority of the Pentagon leadership are no-military-experience civilian appointees and general officers without any technical education. Reforming RTD&E would vastly improve our future and save money - but it isn't very likely.
The primary weapon in our nation's inventory is its people and we if can't afford them, we won't exist very long as a nation.
Pay up, or learn Mandarin.
Military compensation has been getting cut, for years...I’ve lived through and I am the proud recipient of not just one, but two of their cuts.
Redux/High 3...and VEAP, being charged for the medical (although I don’t complain about it), it’s still, by definition, a “cut”.
This has been going on for DECADES...death by thousands of “cuts”...but it has almost always impacted those who are currently serving or currently retired. I have yet to see these impact those yet to come into the service or retirement.
It’s one thing to sign a contract knowing up front that you’ll only get 40% of base pay for retirement, but it’s another to have a 50% of base pay retirement modified at one’s 17th or 18th year of service to either 40% or a High 3 average.
Thanks for your perspective in this, and a followup post. I learned a thing or two today.