washingtonscene
ed by infl ation or other methods not sub- est progress on fi xes for military widows or
Need Help with
ject to the annual appropriations process. disabled retirees — but in the next breath
CRSC?
So Congress made a rule: Any commit- waives the rule to pass trillions of dollars for
tee that proposes an increase in “manda- other mandatory spending programs.
If you need help figur-
ing out combat-related
tory” programs under its control must It seems the rules apply unless the issue
special compensation,
pay for it by cutting an equal amount from is really politically popular.
contact the following
other mandatory programs under its juris- In some cases, the military community for help:
diction or coming up with other offsetting can be a benefi ciary of that game, as with
■ Air Force
revenue (tax increases, sales of govern- the GI Bill. In others, the rules are used
(800) 616-3775
ment property, etcetera). to frustrate far more modest (and equally
■ Army
(866) 281-3254
This has proven a real problem for those needed) initiatives. The lesson: If you can
■ Coast Guard
of us seeking fi xes for such things as con- generate enough political interest in an
(800) 772-8724
current receipt, survivor annuities, and the issue, the normal rules simply do not apply. ■ Navy and
GI Bill. That’s because the Armed Services If you don’t think constituent input to
Marine Corps
committees that oversee those programs legislators counts for much, think again.
(877) 366-2772
understandably are reluctant to pay for Winning on Capitol Hill is all about exert-
them by cutting other retirement, survivor, ing political pressure.
or health benefi ts. So winning even small
improvements is like pulling teeth.
But every single year, Hill leaders ig- CRSC Open to
nore those same rules when they fi nd it
politically expedient. Usually, the waivers All Disability
come on tax bills or “emergency” supple-
mental spending bills. (The offset rules Retirees
can be waived in case of an emergency.)
20-year rule no longer applies.
Need $160 billion for an economic stimu-
lus package? No problem. Waive the rule.
Need hundreds of billions of dollars
for war funding but don’t want to raise
taxes? It’s waived. I
n June, DoD provided new combat-
related special compensation (CRSC)
guidance to the services, implementing
This year, Hill leaders waived the rule last year’s law change that extended CRSC
to fund a major upgrade to the GI Bill, an- eligibility to servicemembers with less
other mandatory spending program. than 20 years of service who were retired
Don’t get us wrong. We like economic for medical reasons or under the Tempo-
stimulus rebates, too, and we certainly think rary Early Retirement Authority during
that if we’re going to put troops in harm’s the 1990s force reduction.
way, we simply must provide the funding The services began processing claims
needed to let them do their job. And we for the new eligibles June 8. This process
defi nitely want the GI Bill upgraded. So is not automatic. Eligible servicemem-
we’re not criticizing those waivers. We’ve bers with combat- or operations-related
been fi ghting for years to “plus up” military disabilities must apply for compensation
education benefi ts and have run into the through their service CRSC offi ce before
mandatory spending rule every year, so they can receive any benefi t.
we’re elated that Congress now thinks it’s Compensation amounts vary widely
so important that it deserves a rule waiver. based on several key factors, including
So what’s the issue here? rank, years of service, DoD and VA dis-
The offset rule has lost all credibility. ability ratings, and the portion of the
Congress hides behind it to bar even mod- disability that’s because of combat. Based
AUGUST 2008 MILITARY OFFICER 35
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