Would you be willing to accept a 10% reduction in pay and benefits to maintain the current DoD end strength?

2015-06-16T20:21:29-04:00

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jun 16 at 2015 9:06 PM

2015-06-16T21:06:04-04:00

No...Soldiers give enough! Time for our lawmakers to figure things out before the next 9/11-type attack occurs.

However, I do feel the updated retirement plan will assist with the Defense Department's budget woes.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 16 at 2015 9:24 PM

2015-06-16T21:24:07-04:00

I'm retired and couldn't/wouldn't take the pay cut so no.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2015 9:27 PM

2015-06-16T21:27:56-04:00

Not a chance.
Anyone that says that we can't find enough money in a trillion dollar defense budget to pay for the national defense without cutting pay is either a poor accountant or a liar.
It is all about an agenda, no more, no less.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2015 9:40 PM

2015-06-16T21:40:07-04:00

I would with 2 caveats.

1. Every single Congressman and Senator also take a 15% pay cut.
2. Every single Congressman and Senator pass legislation for term limits for all of their positions. 8 yrs is fair to me.

See how far that goes.

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Jun 16 at 2015 10:49 PM

2015-06-16T22:49:20-04:00

I am going along with the NO crowd. Even being retired. The DOD and Congress seem so ignorant about basic accounting. I would love to go through the Budget books and point out all waste, corruption, misappropriation, and just mishandling of the budget.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Jun 17 at 2015 12:53 AM

2015-06-17T00:53:14-04:00

I would not. The nerve to even think about cutting our already meager pay.

Response by CPL Eric Allen made Jun 17 at 2015 1:44 AM

2015-06-17T01:44:52-04:00

I personally think congressional representatives should take half their pay and give it to our schools we are ranked 37th in the world. What are we doing to our kids

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 17 at 2015 8:51 AM

2015-06-17T08:51:28-04:00

I have to go along with the group and responses on this question. Congress needs to step up to the plate first before we start taking away from our active duty and retirees. In that same breath we need to continue to take care of our veterans as well. I doubt we will ever see a cut in benefits or pay for Congress in my lifetime. There are a lot of areas that spending can be curtailed besides retirement and pay for our brothers and sisters in arms.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Jun 17 at 2015 8:53 AM

2015-06-17T08:53:18-04:00

If I see a plan on why the current DOD strength is necessary, and how alternatives would have a negative impact to the nation's security. As far as I see if we are going to have well-trained soldiers doing menial tasks such as courtesy patrol (which shouldn't even be necessary), then clearly we aren't using the troops we have in an effective manner.

Response by SGT Christopher Davis made Jun 17 at 2015 9:59 AM

2015-06-17T09:59:32-04:00

I'm not usually a trend follower but I will have to say no! I do agree that Congress needs to stop giving themselves raises every year. I would love for it to be up to the people to say if they deserve a raise. And the fact that they can do one term and be set for life is ridiculous, in my opinion. Make them pay health care like we do we will see if we have that problem any more. But like I said this is my opinion!

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jun 17 at 2015 1:13 PM

2015-06-17T13:13:26-04:00

Absolutely NOT There are too may Pork Barrel projects, government officials, and government branch divisions (think IRS and others) that are ripe for cuts, reductions in pay, and scaling back before we cut military pay and benefits.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-06-17T13:59:39-04:00

If funding was the real problem then we could have started with scrapping some of the stuff we seem to have a problem getting out the door.

Time to go watch The Pentagon Wars again!