fromthepresident Getting It Right W

We hear the talk from some on Capi- tol Hill about the urgent need to re- form military pay and benefits. It makes me more determined than ever to get this right for future generations. I’m worried both the president’s 2016 budget proposal and retirement and health care proposals from the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commis- sion (MCRMC)* fail to adequately consider long-term eff ects on the all-volunteer force. The 2016 budget is a rehash of last

year’s DoD proposal: caps on currently serving pay, reduction of the housing al- lowance, and cuts to commissary savings. History shows the Pentagon will cut until retention and readiness suff er. Consider the impact: The president’s budget will reduce the annual purchasing power of a sergeant (E-5) with 10 years in service, married with a family of four, by $5,200. A captain (O-3) with similar time and family status stands to lose $6,400 in purchasing power annually. Like last year, it appears MOAA’s Storm- ing the Hill eff orts will help fend off several of these ill-advised proposals. Although Congress might change the current retire- ment system, key congressional leaders have promised to critically analyze the MCRMC’s proposals to ensure the future of the all-volunteer force is not jeopardized. We support a portable 401(k) for service- members separating with less than 20 years of service but worry it might not entice the right troops to commit to a full career. Con-

Amid calls for urgent action and ill-advised proposals, MOAA counsels against a rush to judgment. We must learn from past mistakes and ensure reforms support a strong all-volunteer force.

gress and defense leaders need to add modi- fi cations to the current proposal that will retain the top mid-grade NCOs and offi cers we will need to defend our nation. The MCRMC’s retirement recommen- dations would be the most complex re- forms in decades. Former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger warned Con- gress 30 years ago they would “rue the day” they approved the REDUX retirement plan. It proved to be inadequate, compromised retention, and was repealed 10 years later. Hopefully Congress and the adminis-

tration will not rush to judgment, or it will be REDUX all over again. You can rest as- sured MOAA will continue to advocate for the nation to do the right thing. Next January, I will transition from my position as president, in which I have been privileged to serve for more than 13 years. It is never easy to leave a position, a team, and a mission that you love, but it is time to make the change. MOAA has a tremendous staff and board of directors who will ensure my successor has the tools to continue the fi ght for our mission and our members. We have more to accomplish this year, so I as- sure you: I look forward to working with each of you for the remaining eight-plus months of my tenure and intend to make every day count and never stop serving!

— Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN (Ret)

*online: Find MOAA’s analysis of the MCRMC’s proposals at www.moaa.org/mcrmc. 12 MILITARY OFFICER JUNE 2015

PHOTO: SEAN SHANAHAN