UnderOveur

Very wise. Far more objective than any of the other ones mentioned.

UnderOveur

Yes, it is that. Best used for the bottom of bird cages, as a general rule of thumb.

UnderOveur

Actually, an interventionist Federal Reserve (Google: "the Greenspan Put") and propping up banks considered "too-big-to-fail" is what is gutting our country.

That, and "entitlement" programs (read: ponzi schemes) based upon impossible and empty promises.

Taken together, these make the DoD look like chickenfeed.

Flyinhigh

I think this has been discussed before on this forum, but it may be worth another look as the DOD faces harsh cuts in the future. Maybe the retirement system needs to be based on what you did during your 20 years on Active Duty. For example, you get "points" for deployment to a combat theater and "points" for the jobs you held during your service time. Command billets may carry more points than other billets. There could be some formula where these "points" would be used to come up with a mutiplier for your retirement benefit. If you spent 20 years in an office stateside with little or no responsibility, you would not have near the points as a front line troop who spent 12 out of 20 years deployed with some of those years in command positions. And, this is the part no one will like, the points may not add up to 50% after 20 years.
Just some food for thought. If the DOD doesn't come up with a plan to make cuts, someone else will.

UnderOveur

How about a national law that says it is illegal, and punishable by both fine and prison term, for any gov't contractor to make more than "x"% profit on any gov't contract...

...and furthermore that any gov't contractor that attempts to "game" the gov't for add'l revenue(s) is subject to the same penalties if found guilty??

And furthermore, that those penalties are actually enforced?

How about before we start cutting pay and pensions, we start cutting into things like F-15 crew boarding ladders that the gov't gets charged $5k/ each to purchase?

F-15 Boarding Ladder - NSN 1730-01-076-3934 | Factory Supply Inc.

Just a thought.

HSLD

Serving in the military has always had an element of self sacrifice that should rightly be rewarded. However, $100K educational benefits for 1.3mil active duty presents a $130B liability that the country can't afford. How ironic would it be for the forces that project the power of the United States to be the tip of the spear in the economic collapse of the nation?

I served in the military between the old GI bill and the new GI bill when the educational benefit was "VEAP" which capped the lifetime educational benefit at $8,100. It sucked for me and I was thrilled to see the benefit expand for those who followed. It appears that the pendulum is going to swing back towards austerity, and again it will suck.

Every penny of military benefit is earned, but it looks like [more] self sacrifice as a volunteer force is the new buzzword while hardware procurement continues to run wild.

RBI73

This won't be popular, but I really think its time to revamp the retirement system. If I were king I'd announce that starting in two years anyone joining the military will not get a defined benefit retirement (pension) but rather will contribute to a 401k and the government will match up to a percentage. At the same time I'd raise the base pay slightly to compensate.

It's a bit antiquated to use a pension system now. A kid can join the AF at age 18, retire at age 38 and be paid a retirement for the next 50 to 60 years!

Another option is (again grandfather in those currently serving) no retirement until you turn 60, like in the reserves.

Still another option is early retirements at a reduced rate.

I'd like to see the same thing for all government employees (ie teachers).

UnderOveur

This is a trifle compared to the "entitlement" program spending. A mere pittance.


Yup, and it should be a CRIME to talk about reducing said benefits without taking a single penny from unearned, vote-buying "entitlement" programs.

block30

The Federal through municipal governments have been living beyond their means for awhile now. Same goes for the average citizen. Is it because we are spending beyond our means, or that our "means" have become less?

KC10 FATboy

You are absolutely correct except it isn't the "lavish" personnel spending that is the problem. There are hundreds of problems with government/DOD spending. Unfortunately, the Pentagon and Congress will not cut the stuff that should be cut. Instead, they'll cut personnel, pay, and benefits which means our fighting force will once again take it in the shorts.

I'll also add, anyone who has a military job where they are actively engaging the enemy and being shot at has more than earned their "lavish" compensation ... and then some.