Posted on Feb 1, 2023
'That Pisses Me Off': Congressman to Lead Panel on Struggles for Troops Focusing on Pay, Food...
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Quote from the article below:
"Bacon expects the first hearings of the quality-of-life panel will focus on pay issues. While service members get an annual raise -- including a 4.6% increase this year that was the largest pay bump in 20 years -- the lawmaker said the across-the-board raises have exacerbated a pay gap between junior and senior personnel." (Kheel, 2023)
What I suggest is to ensure service members are receiving better BAH benefits if their zip code is within a high cost region. Moreover, BAS should be adjusted by the size of one's family versus a lump sum across-the-board payment for all service members. I believe what I propose is probably the most "equitable" for the force.
Admittedly, the military compensation system needs to be updated. Although there is a pay gap between junior and senior service members, it does not mean that pay has to be corrected to close the gap. In a traditional work force model, entry level is not meant to compensate as well as mid or senior level positions. It's the responsibility of the individual to gain the education and experience they need to move up in both responsibility, influence, and extrinsic benefits. Otherwise, where is the incentive to achieve?
Circling back to compensation updates, I believe managing BAH in high cost areas, adjusted BAS based on family size, keeping up with the rate of inflation, and matching private sector pay strategies will be an equitable move for all. Without expanding this already long post, I will defer to our RP family to chime in.
"Bacon expects the first hearings of the quality-of-life panel will focus on pay issues. While service members get an annual raise -- including a 4.6% increase this year that was the largest pay bump in 20 years -- the lawmaker said the across-the-board raises have exacerbated a pay gap between junior and senior personnel." (Kheel, 2023)
What I suggest is to ensure service members are receiving better BAH benefits if their zip code is within a high cost region. Moreover, BAS should be adjusted by the size of one's family versus a lump sum across-the-board payment for all service members. I believe what I propose is probably the most "equitable" for the force.
Admittedly, the military compensation system needs to be updated. Although there is a pay gap between junior and senior service members, it does not mean that pay has to be corrected to close the gap. In a traditional work force model, entry level is not meant to compensate as well as mid or senior level positions. It's the responsibility of the individual to gain the education and experience they need to move up in both responsibility, influence, and extrinsic benefits. Otherwise, where is the incentive to achieve?
Circling back to compensation updates, I believe managing BAH in high cost areas, adjusted BAS based on family size, keeping up with the rate of inflation, and matching private sector pay strategies will be an equitable move for all. Without expanding this already long post, I will defer to our RP family to chime in.
'That Pisses Me Off': Congressman to Lead Panel on Struggles for Troops Focusing on Pay, Food...
Posted from military.com
Military Pay
Fair Pay
Money
BAH
BAS
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 1
Completely agree with your sentiments regarding the pay gap between senior service members and junior ones. Yes, there is a large pay gap (using myself as an example .. O6>32 years there would be roughly a 6x difference between myself and a new Soldier each month), however, there is a world of difference in responsibilities, standards, requirements, etc.
Should the junior enlisted make more? Considering some states want to pay a kid fresh from high-school who is flipping hamburgers $35k a year or more (if working full-time), they are vastly being underpaid ESPECIALLY since they gave Uncle Sam a blank check for "up to and including my life".
*EDIT* BAS depending on family size ... As long as it doesn't get 'out of control' (for example, here's another $1,000/month for each kid you have) I think it's worth exploring.
Should the junior enlisted make more? Considering some states want to pay a kid fresh from high-school who is flipping hamburgers $35k a year or more (if working full-time), they are vastly being underpaid ESPECIALLY since they gave Uncle Sam a blank check for "up to and including my life".
*EDIT* BAS depending on family size ... As long as it doesn't get 'out of control' (for example, here's another $1,000/month for each kid you have) I think it's worth exploring.
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MSG (Join to see)
Sir, great post as always! The only thing I want to highlight is I believe BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) should be zip code based with extra bumps in high cost regions. BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) should be based off of family size. I'm sorry I didn't expand on the acronyms in my original post.
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COL Randall C.
MSG (Join to see) - Slightly confused .. BAH IS Zip Code based. BAH for me in Cedar Falls, IA would be $2,328 for myself with dependents and is $3,933 in Northern Virginia. They are updated on a periodic basis based on a survey of the rental costs in each zip code ... I would agree that the methodology might need tweaking though.
*chuckle* ... no issue on the acronyms. I think very few people on RP would have trouble understanding what BAH or BAS are. "I" said BAH when you did say BAS. My mistake.
*chuckle* ... no issue on the acronyms. I think very few people on RP would have trouble understanding what BAH or BAS are. "I" said BAH when you did say BAS. My mistake.
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MSG (Join to see)
COL Randall C. - Sir, haha sorry, I meant to say that additional housing compensation for high cost regions should be included with BAH. My bad on the confusion haha!
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