Are you not surprised the Military is changing so much since General Odierno spelled it out September 18, 2013?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 14:24:49 -0500

General Odierno said in 2013 Military manpower costs remain at historic highs and consume 46% of the Army budget today.... Soldier compensation will double. If we do not slow the rate of growth, Soldier compensation will double to approximately 80% of the budget by 2023. I wonder what he means when soldier compenstation almost doubles in 10 years when we have so many less soldiers to pay?http://docs.house.gov/meetings/AS/AS00/20130918/101291/HHRG-113-AS00-Wstate-OdiernoUSAR-20130918.pdf

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Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jan 31 at 2016 2:33 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 14:33:16 -0500

LTC Private RallyPoint Member In my opinion, I think with the new retirement system in effect, he probably was eluding to the payout for the retirement system.
http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/retirement/2015/06/10/dod-retirement-plan-details-approved/71011882/

New military retirement system gets Pentagon OK

After months of official silence, the Defense Department on Wednesday sent to Capitol Hill its formal recommendation for transforming military

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jan 31 at 2016 3:31 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 15:31:33 -0500

I'm guessing much of the increase in cost is coming from health care due to increased government involvement in the industry. The service members and families won't see better care, but the government will continue to pay more and more for it.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jan 31 at 2016 4:21 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 16:21:45 -0500

My speculation is that the 80% projection is the worst-case scenario based on relatively flat-lined budgets over the last 7 years, coupled with a relatively steady force structure, and then extending those factors well into the future. In President Obama's earliest years, he didn't emphasize defense spending in his budget requests (and the House and Senate didn't either in their appropriations bills). Then, the Budget Control Act of 2011 put downward pressure on the defense budgets due to spending caps and sequestration, and then minimal increases under the Murray-Ryan budget agreement. So, imagine a relatively flat budget, coupled with a flat force structure, yet still providing completely warranted annual cost-of-living increases. That would cause the personnel costs to start squeezing out other defense spending (funding for training, research/testing, procurement, etc.). Think of a pizza that doesn't grow bigger, but one piece does by crowding out the others. The problem is "how do you fix it?" I wouldn't lay the blame at the feet of the soldiers by calling for smaller pay raises, reforming the retirement system, shifting healthcare costs onto beneficiaries, etc. In essence, I view those as hidden taxes on the military to pay for the military. I would place the blame on our elected officials by calling them out for not doing the right thing...which is adequately funding an adequate force structure based on pursuing an adequate national strategy.

Response by SPC David S. made Jan 31 at 2016 6:28 PM

SPC David S. — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 18:28:43 -0500

According to a report by Col Hayden of MOAA there is evidence that says otherwise.
Personnel costs for the past 30 years has remained at 33% of the military budget while at the same time the military spending has been declining. As well the tricare fees have increased while simultaneously yearly surpluses have been diverted. These diverted funds are in the billions. I think there are other options to explore like reforms in the current health care system in operating separate medical commands for the Army, Air Force and Navy. However that's easier said than done.

Maybe there's some political posturing at play - who knows - however give a 1% raise but then take away 2% via an increase of tricare fees doesn't scream the sky is falling - more like bend over here it comes.

Creating pay gaps with civilians will definitely slow the growth of the military but I feel the short term gains in reduction in force will also help create retention challenges and hurt the military in the end.

FYI the link to the article did not work for me?

Response by CW2 Louis Melendez made Jan 31 at 2016 6:47 PM

CW2 Louis Melendez — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 18:47:05 -0500

Well... Everything gets more expensive with time and manpower is needed. Unless the government plans to replace us for machines. SMH