Community Forums

**JohnRR** · 06-07-2011, 09:16 AM

Are you ready for this?

Story Link

Quote:

The Pentagon's top officer said Thursday that service members will likely see cuts in pay and benefits as the military plumbs its budget for nearly half a trillion dollars in savings over the next 12 years.

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen warned against taking the "relatively easy" choice of cutting hardware while maintaining the increasing costs of paying and providing ongoing health care to troops and retirees.

"Two of the big places the money is, is in pay and benefits," Mullen told defense reporters at a June 2 breakfast meeting in Washington. "And so when I say all things are on the table, all things are on the table."

John H... · 06-07-2011, 09:22 AM

That's horrific...

edj · 06-07-2011, 09:27 AM

These are the things that have to happen to cut the budget by the amount that some in congress have demanded.

Kablewizard · 06-07-2011, 09:35 AM

Don't won't to get political, but I don't see Congress taking a pay or benefit cut.

Cherylv · 06-07-2011, 10:24 AM

!!!!!!!

Eric_H_E · 06-07-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kablewizard

Don't won't to get political, but I don't see Congress taking a pay or benefit cut.

X2

85Eagle · 06-07-2011, 01:45 PM

When you go to the poles next year to vote remember who in Congress are pushing for these cuts.

golden · 06-07-2011, 03:20 PM

I have no problems with it as long as ALL government agencies take the same losses across the board. Will I like it? No, but if it's done fairly and equitably I'll be able to swallow it. Will that happen? Not likely.

Cat320 · 06-07-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golden

I have no problems with it as long as ALL government agencies take the same losses across the board. Will I like it? No, but if it's done fairly and equitably I'll be able to swallow it. Will that happen? Not likely.

Agree...cut 'em, but cut 'em all.

Wayne M · 06-07-2011, 05:00 PM

It is horrible. As all you veterans know, and many non veterans, the military is there to put their life on the line at a minutes notice to protect this country. When I had 20 years in the Corps, my pay was such that I could have drawn food stamps. The pay was just slightly below the poverty level. So now they are thinking of putting the military back into the poverty level. Well gee! So they go out and get food stamps and other social benefits and it puts the money crunch we are in just where we are in now. It just doesn't make sense.

They should all get a raise!

Route 66 · 06-07-2011, 05:03 PM

As far as I'm concerned, if military pay was doubled, they would still be underpaid.

golden · 06-07-2011, 05:16 PM

IF you were able to take emotion out of the equation and all other points I made in my previous post were followed, this would make sense. Just like in many other cases, this is another example of the NIMBY philosophy which is pervasive in our country. Don't get me wrong, I'd hate to see it happen on a PERSONAL basis, but done properly it could help. And, yes, I remember making $73 a month and $99 a month as an E4, so I've been there.

wa8yxm · 06-08-2011, 11:17 AM

Considering what we pay them now is a crime...

I have a suggestion: How about a grass roots movement. NO SENATOR, NO CONGRESSMAN, can be paid more in both wages and benefits, including "Perks" and gifts and the vale of parties and trips etc. That a Sgt in the Army.. or better yet, a Private.b

**JohnRR** · 06-08-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golden

IF you were able to take emotion out of the equation

OK take my retirement pay, but how many more sacrifices do they want our active duty military to make, they are under paid as it is.

My 3 year stipend called combat pay did not even cover the upheaval caused to my family during those time frames forget anything else figured into the way of life.

You just simply can not justify this in any manner concerning our active duty members.