The potential retirement changes has many sailors and soldiers worried. During a war, changes to compensation and benefits can have a damaging affect on morale. The thing is, there are no current changes being planned. Most of the information distributed through the services is data related to the Defense Business Board’s proposal, but there has been no actions taken toward those proposed changes.
The issue lies with the distributing of information and the lack of any given body to quite the rumors. That isn’t to say the proposal does not have its proponents and opponents. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C) voiced his unhappiness during a hearing called by Defense officials to discuss the matter more thoroughly. He believe the shift would be radical and unfair to those serving a full 20 years. The DBB report said the current retirement plan is unsustainable and increasingly unaffordable.
Roughly 17 percent of military members make it to retirement. Those usually include individuals who have not been in combat situations. There are those, like Rep. Susan Davis (D-Ca) who is in favor of some of the proposed DBB changes. She believes those who decide to leave early should also receive some form of compensation.
There are other ideas bouncing around like the one from Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Col) who would see some benefits for those who choose to leave early, but higher pay for those in tougher positions. Positions in the military can range from combat situations to desk jobs.
There isn’t any current plan to change the retirement system. Recently, there have been individuals such as Speaker of The House Of Representatives, John Boehner, coming out in opposition to more military cuts. It is still possible the retirement system will be tweaked, but to avoid a backlash, it will have to be done slowly with emphasis on military personnel improvements and fairness.
Source [Military.com]