Pay Commission: DoD Was Wrong about Personnel Costs
Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) July 10, 2014 -- The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) said The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission interim report released July 3 validated MOAA's analysis that military personnel costs have remained steady at about 30 percent of the defense budget. This is in sharp contrast to the 40-, 50-, or 70-percent increases various DoD and service officials have stated to the media, the public, and Congress. Congress created the commission to conduct an independent, comprehensive review of military compensation and benefit programs, and make recommendations for their modernization.
“Unbelievably, after repeatedly crowing that costs were spiraling out of control, DoD leaders are now saying costs are dropping due to their plan,” MOAA President Vice Adm. Norb Ryan said. “DoD officials recently acknowledged military personnel costs are coming down and even claimed ‘We are making progress.’"
"But the truth is,” Ryan continued, “personnel costs have held steady at about 30 percent of the defense budget for more than 30 years, and despite Congress’ rejection of pay and benefits cuts year after year, cost growth was already declining."
“MOAA understands the predicament defense leaders face,” Ryan emphasized. “A way to balance the force and end the harmful effects of sequestration must be found. But capping military raises below private-sector pay growth has proven once pay raise caps begin, they continue until they undermine retention and readiness."
“The July 3 release of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission’s interim report removed all doubt about who’s been stating the facts and who’s been spinning the facts,” Ryan concluded. “MOAA’s analysis has been validated independently by a presidential commission. Going forward, I’m hopeful Congress will insist DoD reform its own operations before blaming budget problems on military families.”
About MOAA:
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is the nation’s largest officers association, with more than 380,000 members from every branch of service, including active duty, retired, National Guard, Reserve, and former officers and their families and survivors. MOAA is a nonprofit and politically nonpartisan organization, and an influential force in promoting a strong national defense. MOAA represents the interests of service members and their families in every stage of their lives and careers, and for those who are not eligible to join MOAA, Voices for America’s Troops is a nonprofit MOAA affiliate that supports a strong national defense. For more information, visit http://www.moaa.org or http://www.voicesfortroops.org/.
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