washingtonscene
generating savings from the TRICARE pharmacy benefit is feasible, I recommend you consult with DoD.” Citing another proposal to force work-
ing-age retirees out of TRICARE Prime and into TRICARE Standard, his letter said, “I recommend the [super committee] give this proposal, and the other CBO op- tions involving TRICARE reform, consid- eration in coordination with DoD.” On military retirement, McCain said
he would vigorously oppose any recom- mendation to change the retirement system for currently serving or currently retired members. But he said, “I support the president’s proposal to establish a commission to review military retirement benefits, and I believe such a commis- sion, and a BRAC [base realignment and closure]-like approach to its recommen- dations, should also consider changes to the current, largely-outdated military compensation system.” Levin agreed with the proposed TFL
enrollment fee and pharmacy copayment increases and went a step further, saying, “I support the president’s proposals, and suggest that the scope of the commission be expanded to encompass all aspects of military compensation, including the current system of basic pay, allowances (including the housing allowance), special and incentive pays, and health care, as well as the tax treatment of the various components of military pay.” MOAA is shocked and dismayed the leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee embraced initiatives whose expressly stated purpose is to reduce the difference between military and civilian benefits. The past decade of war has underlined
more than ever that military service is radi- cally different from civilian work experi- ence, and the military retirement and health care package is the primary career incentive
30 MILITARY OFFICER DECEMBER 2011
for top-quality people to endure those ex- traordinary sacrifices for 20 to 30 years. We strongly disagree with establishing
a TFL enrollment fee, curtailing retirees’ eligibility for TRICARE Prime, and sub- jecting military retirement and compensa- tion programs, even for future entrants, to a BRAC-like legislative plan that can force dramatic and ill-advised changes with little opportunity for debate or amend- ment. The REDUX experience showed that grandfathering the current force to whack future service entrants’ retirement benefits only delays the inevitable adverse retention and readiness effects. On Oct. 20, MOAA President Vice
Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., USN-Ret., wrote a letter to the 12 members of the super committee reemphasizing the impor- tance of McKeon’s input.
Whacking People Because
It’s Easier Leadership overlooks mismanagement.
C
onventional wisdom is that ser- vices push force reductions and benefit cuts during every budget
crunch because that’s the only quick way to cut the budget. Cutting weapons programs, the ser-
vices say, saves money in the out-years, but cutting people and the programs that serve and compensate them saves a ton of money right now. Remember a few years ago when Air
Force leaders proposed cutting 40,000 airmen in an effort to boost procurement funding — and then ended up losing the people and not getting the funding? That’s only part of the story.
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