Is it time to cut military health and pension benefits?

<p>The problem is not the cost of military healthcare. It is the cost of healthcare in America. This country needs to&nbsp;perform some serious self evaluation of how we practice healthcare, and who benefits from how we practice healthcare (it's not the end user to the extent that&nbsp;it should be; it's the provider to a degree that boggles the mind when you see how much money changes hands). There are other western democracies with much better healthcare systems which operate with greater efficiency and effectiveness.....most often driven by the desire to improve the quality of life of its society; not make a select group wealthy.</p><p><br></p><p>Secondly, the military is such a small percentage of the total population (less than 1%), does anybody truly believe that slashing the hard earned benefits our nation's veterans/service members is going to significantly improve our country's fiscal situation? Any cursory examination of the numbers will prove otherwise to anybody with a brain in their head, and no political agenda to push. Reducing benefits to veterans/ service members, a group that totals less than the number of people who receive some form of public assistance, will not solve our budget problems.</p><p><br></p><p>Pension benefits for a 20 year or even 30 year career are modest by comparison to the some options available to civilian workers who have opportunities for company sponsored deferred compensation plans where companies match employee contributions, or tie payouts to stock market gains, or enormous company profits. How many service members retire in such comfort that a follow on career is not a necessity? </p><p><br></p><p>Finally, when congress gets serious about balancing the budget and reclaiming our financial stability and independence, it will begin by cutting the ridiculous incentives it provides itself, and reducing the entitlements collected by those who have learned helplessness resulting&nbsp;from government give away programs. Premium healthcare plans and lifetime pensions for members who serve as little as four years in congress coupled with federal money funneled to personal companies/investments which make them rich in very short time spans, and hand outs to people who never develop the skills or desire to work cost this country far more than the benefits collected by a select few who of their own accord volunteer to serve often giving their last full measure for the greater good. When congress cuts its benefits and entitlements across the board, I will support a proportional reduction in military healthcare/pension benefits. Until then, it's just political pandering. </p><p><br></p><p>Master chief rant complete. Out.</p>

I feel that this is touchy topic for everyone.  Retirees feel betrayed, those already enlisted feel like they were sold a bill of goods.  I have served for 8 and assumed that retirements would be available at 20 years.  Should I be told that it would be available at a later age would upset me greatly.  Not because I would not be able to succeed as I believe that many veterans can, but because it is not what was told us when we signed on the dotted line.  However, we are the military force of a democratic and free nation drawing down from multiple engagements.  History has shown that a habit is to radically reduce military power to save money.  Thus this is not the actions of American politicians attacking the military, a concept that seems to have created a very divisive and partisan relationship between the military and congress as well as between the parties, but instead it is just a fact.  This is what free nations do after wars.  Happens every time, at least with manpower.  My concern is that a cut in benefits is easier to remove than implement and should the United States need men and women to fight wars again once the economy is strong again, what incentives will many have to enter service at a time of great personal risk and sacrifice?  With reduced benefits (health and retirement) and the example that those benefits are not held sacred by those that make the rules, promises of benefits and compensation would hold significantly less influence.  A broad reduction in benefits is a short-sighted solution to a problem with consequences that are much more long term. 

I would be curious to know of the 88% of the supposed experts have ever served!

Being in for only four years so far, I am disgusted that I could be promised so much and in actuality given so little! I volunteered to go on a deployment because I wanted the benefits of being a veteran, and now just over a year home from my 457 days of serving in Afghanistan, I can't receive my benefits? Or my benefits will not be what was expressed to me and in my contract? This is a blatant disrespectful blow to the morale of any soldier in any branch! The current administration has proven time and time again that they are not concerned with the welfare of soldiers and their families. If you ask me I think that this is all a tactic to dwindle down the numbers in the military slowly over time to make our nation vulnerable!

Many great comments posted for this topic. I just feel that at some point the draft will be reinstated due to the fact the people will not want to enlist or commision due to the lies that are told about benefits and retirement. The promises have been broken and trust has been lost with service members.

MSG Stankovich,
This is tragic news. I cant say I didn't see this or something like this coming. Most every morning I meet with my guys and I say the same thing to them. Make yourself as marketable as possible. Invest in yourself by getting a degree, TSP/IRA, or certifications in a specific field that would apply to a life after the military.

The thought of being betrayed by the people you spend a life time serving in horrible. I felt that betrayal very early in my career from a very dysfunctional command. I made it through. The United States military will make it through, although it will get ugly and there will be some bad taste. The recent draw downs and "end" of conflicts could only conclude that the military was inevitably going to shrink. We have been operating at a WW2 mindset as to where we need to always be ready to fight on different fronts at any given time. With the advancement in technology and tactics we have become the greatest military might the world has ever known. History will look to us and future generations of enlightened people will use us as a precursor for a better world.

I do not like having what is the "meat and potato's" of the military cut. I am very anxious to see if there is any benefit to having the military as a career. Most countries do not keep there members longer than the required time, but that is their mistake. I see a lot of knowledge leaving the military in the senior ranks. I have read reports of senior officers being dismissed by this administration. It makes me wonder if they stood up and fought for us. Unless you know one of these people, we may never know the real reason for the dismissals. 2014 maybe a pivotal year for the military and our country. The unfolding of the progressive movements made by members of Congress and this administration may have reawaken the sleeping giant.

First off, we don't have that many elected officials that have served in the military nor understand the sacrifices that are made, not just by the servicemen and women but by the spouses and children.  How many football, basketball, soccer games, dance recitals, plays, father/mother son, father/mother daughter banquets (I could go on) have you missed while giving up without hesitation a number of your freedoms to protect the Constitution that protects all Americans?  i find it quite disturbing that our government leadership has chosen to only cut those who have faithfully and willingly served without addressing foolish spending.  Look around and count the number of people who get government subsistence and choose only to live in that world instead of being productive citizens.  Instead of asking what you can do for your country, they ask, where are my freebies?  Where are my checks?  Secondly, this budget deal does absolutely nothing to start the debt and deficit pendulum swinging in the right direction.  What were they thinking?   Thirdly, by signing this budget deal, the Commander in Chief has once again indicated that active duty, reserve, National Guard, Veterans, and Retirees mean absolutely nothing to him.  I implore all Veterans to watch this next year closely and work to get the word out.  Our Tricare insurance will surely be a future target, if not already planned for elimination.  The proposed elimination of commissaries has been targeted by the SECDEF.  That's just another example of hitting us repeatedly with cuts that do not seem to have been discussed at the the leadership levels.  if I were an Admiral or a General, I would be screaming loud and clear about these things, no matter what the consequences would be.  Lastly, I strongly encourage you to voice your opinions to Congress and the White House.  You have the right to vote if you are on active duty.  They cannot keep ignoring all of us.  I believe Veterans number into the tens of millions.  That my friends is a force to be reckoned with.   I see Democrats and Republicans alike talking the big talk, but when it comes down to where the rubber meets the road, they are dismantling what so many paid the ultimate price for, the freedom we enjoy.  It's time for them to respect us.  

It is a total disgrace to those who take up the sword in defense of our country.  Will the 535 people running our country be willing to cut their benefits?  Military benefits are a tiny drop in the US budget!  It should not even be part of the military budget!  Make it part of the federal budget that includes all members of Congress and the President!  Let's stop funding our enemies, illegal immigrants and those who don't want to work!  So much more!  Being in the military is one of the most honorable things a person can do for his/her country!  It is a small percentage of benefits for a tremendous sacrifice!