Top Officers' Raise Hits Nerve

Military.com ^ | October 20, 2006 | Tom Philpott

[Tulsa Ramjet]

The 2.2 across-the-board military pay raise in January is a joke. So is the 8.7 percent raise set for 125 generals and admirals. How about reversing it?

Officers do not need the bigger raise. It’s the enlisted ranks who have people on food stamps and receiving assistance from the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. With the price of gas and everything else higher, a 2.2 pay raise is a slap in the face.

It’s also a travesty what else our politicians did to the 2007 defense authorization bill. They basically screwed disabled retirees rated “IU,” or unemployable, by refusing to make them eligible immediately for “concurrent receipt” payments [of both full retired pay and their VA compensation].

Maybe America needs to evaluate what these politicians have as perks, benefits and pay so more of that money goes to the people actually fighting and dying for their mistakes.

[Centurion2000]

If the military wants to keep quality people in, they're going to have to pay competitive salaries. 'Selfless service' is one thing. Being a chump is another. Watching your fat cat bosses load up on perks and salary, while you suck on 2.2 percent raise, won't sit with most people.

The military USED to be a way for commoners to make a lot of money by looting. They took that away and now people will not go into the military for monetary reasons.

[Dianna]

An E-4 in the military really doesn't have any business keeping a family.

My husband was an E-5 when our first son was born (approximately 3 years after he enlisted). We didn't have a lot of money, but with our housing provided for and electicity, etc. we were ok.

We knew A LOT of people with high credit card debt. The problem (as it is with most Americans) wasn't so much low pay, but high amounts of debt needing to be serviced.

My husband more than doubled his income within 16 months of leaving the Navy. I do support higher pay for the military, but it wouldn't do a thing to solve the spending problem.

[Dianna]

The only way for people in the military to make more money is to make rank!!!

My husband was an STS2 with 9 years in when he left the Navy. VERY few ST's were being advanced each year, while hunders were passing the tests. Just looking at the numbers showed my husband that it would be at least 2 or 3 more years before he could advance.

Pay and advancement weren't the only reason he left the Navy, but it was a large part. When it doesn't matter how good you are, what is the point?

[Tulsa Ramjet]

"but I don't understand the thinking on this one."

You and me both, pal.

[Tulsa Ramjet]

"would be really hard for us land lovers to understand the feeling of strapping a jet on and flying around"

How about strapping on a ship two football fields long and zipping through the straits of Messina at 12 knots with ferries crossing the front of your bow every 30 seconds? Now THAT's some action (coming from a SWO. Hey, we have our moments too.)

[zek157]

I've worked with several Iron Majors. Up and out depends on the numbers. It looks like we are entering another up our out period, but that has not been the case in the last 10-12 years since the Clinton slashing.