Posted on Jun 9, 2015
Less than 1% of us are military. Is cutting our benefits the answer?
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The vote for the Defense spending bill looms and Congress is talking about cutting even more of our benefits. Less pay? Less BAH? No Tricare? Is cutting 10-20 billion from the defense spending budget over the next 10 years really worth taking all these benefits from us? Is it fair that Congress can enjoy subsidized gyms, salons, rental cars, and air travel, all on our dime? And yet there are some members of Congress who say they don't get paid enough. Rank and file members make about 174k a year. Leadership positions make even more. Speaker of the House makes 220k+ a year. Should Congress take a pay hit before stripping our families of our hard earned benefits?
DoD
Congress
Benefits
Politics
Military Pay
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 38
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The more I hear about what our country and government is doing to the active military members, veterans, and retirees, the more I get frustrated with the politics and our leadership in Congress and the Executive Office. Someone needs to wake these guys up.
We have a lot of RP members on this site today, we need to have a way to send letters to our congressman demanding that they start listening to the people, the military members, veterans, and retirees. If anyone, we should be heard
We have a lot of RP members on this site today, we need to have a way to send letters to our congressman demanding that they start listening to the people, the military members, veterans, and retirees. If anyone, we should be heard
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SSG (Join to see)
COL Mikel J. Burroughs, thank you for posting this. I think this is a great step in the right direction. I know there are many veteran and military advocate groups and services out there. But finding a medium to transmit our message to Congress and all the other Washington Beltway brats is crucial.
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SGM (Join to see)
I wrote to both my Congressman and my Governor, I got a form letter from one Congressman (I see you are worried about Veterans, I have always supported Veterans blah blah), the other Congressmen did not respond and the Governors office letter was from a LTC on his staff (AGR?) and stated the Governor considered this a Federal issue because the Army is not state funded. Pretty disheartening for me.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
I can't say I blame you for being disheartened by the response. At least you got one response back from the Congressman. I haven't received anything back yet either. We just got to keep plugging away at it. Keep the faith SGM (Join to see)! That's all we can do!
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its not the answer, neither is cutting welfare. The tax breaks for mega corps should be taken away, they can afford to pay a little extra.
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LCpl Mark Lefler
Kansas short fall is because the governor cut too many taxes, then cut education. Its wrong to just cut welfare but not cut things on the other end of the spectrum.
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PO2 John Briggs
ok ive been thinking about this for a very long time... why are they messing with our retirement... why not cut theirsand see how they like it... they get their pay raise to stay well above the cost of living, while the average gi gets farther and farther below that... i think they need to cut their pay and raises.... for a few years to make up ground...
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No, they need to look at where the money is actually going first. You just can't take one segment of the population and cut its benefits because their name was picked out of that hat this week (which wouldn't surprise me if it were done that way)
I've made that exact same point SSG (Join to see). Let he ready to make the first cut, first cut himself. Like any IT department, we're seen as a drain on resources because we don't show direct ROI. You win a war or snatch a terrorist and that gets us a few more miles and a few bucks from the headlines but after that it's, why do you need a new tank, why do you need more soldiers, why do you need more ammo to train with? Just like the civilian world mentality, if you aren't contributing to the bottom line, you're the first dept that should endure the cuts - the philosophy of bean counting 101.
I've made that exact same point SSG (Join to see). Let he ready to make the first cut, first cut himself. Like any IT department, we're seen as a drain on resources because we don't show direct ROI. You win a war or snatch a terrorist and that gets us a few more miles and a few bucks from the headlines but after that it's, why do you need a new tank, why do you need more soldiers, why do you need more ammo to train with? Just like the civilian world mentality, if you aren't contributing to the bottom line, you're the first dept that should endure the cuts - the philosophy of bean counting 101.
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SFC Mark Merino
I believe it is for that reason that these guys pick on us. They won't go after 99% of a population and be asked to defend their osition intelligently. Go after the tiny 1%, you can't even fight back while still wearing the uniform, and get credit for at least putting an idea on the table to justify their existence. You are absolutely right, going after the 1% gains them nothing that can seriously help the budget. Lower the welfare paychecks a 6-pack a month and we can save the Kiowa, A-10, and buy a new aircraft carrier.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
Lima, OH residents need those tank factory jobs and their congressman needs those votes!
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs Sir, I would have responded to your comment but wanted to make sure others could see this also. The Air Force Sergeants Association has long been a voice on the Hill. Their website is here http://www.hqafsa.org/
They also have a program called VoterVoice which use to be called CapWiz. The link is below https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/home
They have done a lot for us and continue to make that fight also. The Voter Voice program/site makes it easy to contact your elected officials and let them know your stance and how you feel about items they will vote on. I have encouraged many of those I worked with and had worked for me to become a member or at the very least stay apprised on what they are working for/towards and even use the CAPWIZ/VoterVoice application to help their voices be heard!
As for the OP I agree there are many other places to cut than the benefits of the nations defenders and the defense of our nation as a whole. I just hate how it always comes to us as THE option, rather than entitlements across the board. I do think we as a country are coming to the time where major reform across the board will be required. Unfortunately I feel the larger group will be for an unsustainable path...
They also have a program called VoterVoice which use to be called CapWiz. The link is below https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/home
They have done a lot for us and continue to make that fight also. The Voter Voice program/site makes it easy to contact your elected officials and let them know your stance and how you feel about items they will vote on. I have encouraged many of those I worked with and had worked for me to become a member or at the very least stay apprised on what they are working for/towards and even use the CAPWIZ/VoterVoice application to help their voices be heard!
As for the OP I agree there are many other places to cut than the benefits of the nations defenders and the defense of our nation as a whole. I just hate how it always comes to us as THE option, rather than entitlements across the board. I do think we as a country are coming to the time where major reform across the board will be required. Unfortunately I feel the larger group will be for an unsustainable path...
Air Force Sergeants Association
Home of Air Force Sergeants Association
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SSgt (Join to see) I just got done using this discussion question above (thanks SSG (Join to see)) and sent an email to my State Senators and my local House Representative. Thanks for the additional information. Changes have to be made and if our government works the way it’s supposed to then we need to be heard. That means we all need to talk a little louder!
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SSG (Join to see)
SSgt (Join to see), thanks for posting this as well. Seems you and COL Mikel J. Burroughs have the right idea.
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No. It isn't the answer.
There seems to be very little public outcry, however, regarding these things.
This makes the < 1% the most vulnerable population--we simultaneously shoulder the burden of war, however, we also find ourselves as political pawns, with, it would seem, very few advocates (at times, although, I know we do have veteran/military advocacy organizations).
I do think a majority of Americans do ascribe to the "Support the Troops" mantra, but, remember, we are wrapping up over a decade of war. This has left fatigued/tired service members, and history shows that public support can only sustain any war effort for so long....that public support seems to gradually diminish, year-after-year, no matter how justified a war effort.
Even when I re-post stories of these things on Facebook, it's like squeezing blood from an orange trying to get friends to care. People have 'moved on', in my opinion, from the sense of national pride and unity that they embraced right after 9/11. Firefighters, EMTs, and U.S. Soldiers were literally heroes in the majority of the public's eyes.
I can't even get my friends to take a few seconds to sign a petition nowadays.
Caitlyn Jenner and Justin Beiber consume their news feeds and attention.
One thing is for sure, I'm not a big fan of either the Republicans or the Democrats right now.
There seems to be very little public outcry, however, regarding these things.
This makes the < 1% the most vulnerable population--we simultaneously shoulder the burden of war, however, we also find ourselves as political pawns, with, it would seem, very few advocates (at times, although, I know we do have veteran/military advocacy organizations).
I do think a majority of Americans do ascribe to the "Support the Troops" mantra, but, remember, we are wrapping up over a decade of war. This has left fatigued/tired service members, and history shows that public support can only sustain any war effort for so long....that public support seems to gradually diminish, year-after-year, no matter how justified a war effort.
Even when I re-post stories of these things on Facebook, it's like squeezing blood from an orange trying to get friends to care. People have 'moved on', in my opinion, from the sense of national pride and unity that they embraced right after 9/11. Firefighters, EMTs, and U.S. Soldiers were literally heroes in the majority of the public's eyes.
I can't even get my friends to take a few seconds to sign a petition nowadays.
Caitlyn Jenner and Justin Beiber consume their news feeds and attention.
One thing is for sure, I'm not a big fan of either the Republicans or the Democrats right now.
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CPT (Join to see)
Not to derail this thread, but I'm really internally conflicted about how to even cast my vote this next election year--because of all the things you had mentioned, SSG (Join to see). Both Democrats AND Republicans have had their hands in those things....and, I see very few sacrifices being made (you know, leadership 101...leaders eat last...) on either side of the aisle. Party is really irrelevant here, but one particular politician, when asked why Congress doesn't consider a reduction in their own pay and benefits, responded (and I'm paraphrasing) by essentially saying they are above that, and should reap the rewards of their position.
Even in the face of trillions of dollars of debt, this is the elitist attitude that seems to pervade many of our leadership. Instead, they look to the <1% to find cost savings.
Perhaps it's my own fault for painting all the candidates with such a broad brush stroke--I know, I'm really not giving too many candidates a fair and honest "chance"--but, I guess I'm just a little bitter because I haven't really seen any candidate take a stand in (our) defense, at all. They "love" the military, but, like the NFL, it always seems like it's not sincere or genuine--like they do it simply to try to score political points.
I'm extremely torn about a 3rd party.
On other threads, I've talked about how I've been watching the Veterans' Party of America's exponential growth. I don't want to throw my vote away, but I think we are also in the midst of some "conditions" similar to when 3rd parties, in the past, were given rise to.
Remember, Republicans and Democrats were, at one time, 3rd parties themselves.
I would be very curious to see if Republicans and Democrats are both underestimating the value of social media, especially in regards to a more modern political landscape. The Veterans' Party of America has grown to something like 30,000 Facebook followers, in a year--I believe, that is the fastest a 3rd party has EVER grown.
Personally, I think it will be quite the subtle irony if a Veterans' Party came into power after over a decade of war--which produced millions of veterans, by the way--and trillions of dollars spent by the Democrats and Republicans...and, the same mistreatment of the very veterans/military they produced.
Even in the face of trillions of dollars of debt, this is the elitist attitude that seems to pervade many of our leadership. Instead, they look to the <1% to find cost savings.
Perhaps it's my own fault for painting all the candidates with such a broad brush stroke--I know, I'm really not giving too many candidates a fair and honest "chance"--but, I guess I'm just a little bitter because I haven't really seen any candidate take a stand in (our) defense, at all. They "love" the military, but, like the NFL, it always seems like it's not sincere or genuine--like they do it simply to try to score political points.
I'm extremely torn about a 3rd party.
On other threads, I've talked about how I've been watching the Veterans' Party of America's exponential growth. I don't want to throw my vote away, but I think we are also in the midst of some "conditions" similar to when 3rd parties, in the past, were given rise to.
Remember, Republicans and Democrats were, at one time, 3rd parties themselves.
I would be very curious to see if Republicans and Democrats are both underestimating the value of social media, especially in regards to a more modern political landscape. The Veterans' Party of America has grown to something like 30,000 Facebook followers, in a year--I believe, that is the fastest a 3rd party has EVER grown.
Personally, I think it will be quite the subtle irony if a Veterans' Party came into power after over a decade of war--which produced millions of veterans, by the way--and trillions of dollars spent by the Democrats and Republicans...and, the same mistreatment of the very veterans/military they produced.
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SSG (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see), I think your comment about the VPA and a possible 3 party system are spot on. I personally think, and with great regret, that our two party system is all but broken. We need more input and diverse points of view in Washington. Too many people with law degrees are making decisions about things they don't fully understand or care about.
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It is a mistake to cut benefits for those that volunteer to go into harms way to defend the rest of the population.
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Only if you want that number to be even less than less than 1%. We are already at pre-WWI levels.
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LTC Paul Labrador
True, but remember, bennies goes beyond the active force. Right now we are feeling the crunch of the WW2 and baby boom generations.
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SSgt (Join to see)
That is true. If it were not for those of us who truly hear the call to serve, just imagine what those numbers would be.
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Another point I'd like to make:
The U.S. is in the middle of trying to get Iran to sign a deal to put a stop to their nuclear weapons program, open the door for inspections, and in response we would start to peel away sanctions. Oh, and we'd also throw in a $20 billion signing bonus. Don't bother putting your glasses on, you read that correctly. $20 billion dollars in signing bonus. It's ironic that all of the benefits that Congress is willing to cut from the military will save the government about $20 billion over the next 10 years. So it's not all that far-fetched to say that we're cutting our benefits that we've earned and just handing it to the Iranians. No offense Iran, but f*ck that.
The U.S. is in the middle of trying to get Iran to sign a deal to put a stop to their nuclear weapons program, open the door for inspections, and in response we would start to peel away sanctions. Oh, and we'd also throw in a $20 billion signing bonus. Don't bother putting your glasses on, you read that correctly. $20 billion dollars in signing bonus. It's ironic that all of the benefits that Congress is willing to cut from the military will save the government about $20 billion over the next 10 years. So it's not all that far-fetched to say that we're cutting our benefits that we've earned and just handing it to the Iranians. No offense Iran, but f*ck that.
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Shoot congress and replace with veterans. Problem solved. (I'm pretty sure I just got added to another list for this post)
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I agree with everyone who has already posted that cutting our benefits will not help. I just read, however, that the subcommittee approved to increase spending in FY16. This may be a little bit of an upside if the increase spending also means that our wages and benefits will not be affected.
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