'Blended' Military Retirement Plan Not as Popular as Projected

OK, I'll have to point out that under the old system, serve 10 years and get out and you had absolutely nothing. At least know you have something to show for it. They match dollar for dollar any additional contributions up to 3 percent (match amount decrease after 3 percent, the money is deducted pretax and it's yours to take with you if you don't stay in 20 years. If you stay 20, you get an additional 40 percent of you highest three year average. If you contributed even at the 3 percent level, it should be a better plan as far as total dollars.

CPT Lawrence Cable - This is still not added value for most. You'd have to put back a substantial amount of your paycheck for it to amount to anything worth "showing for." Unfortunately, I do not see many lower enlisted to mid grade enlisted Soldiers enjoying this benefit if they choose to leave early. In fact, I label BRS a wolf in sheep's clothing for most.

MSG (Join to see) - While I will agree that not many 19 year olds understand the need to save, it really doesn't take a lot of your paycheck to make a difference with the match. If the soldier did the 3 percent match, with the 1 percent mandatory, an E4 with 3 years would pay in about 98 dollars pre tax, but about $75 addition in the match. That's a pretty good return on investment immediately. Since it's pretax, that soldier is only going to about 35 bucks or so short a pay period that he just doubled in his retirement account. If you saved at that rate, a soldier should be able to come out at 4 years with a 401K worth 6000+, verses nothing in the traditional system.
If I had 12 years or so in the service right now, I wouldn't switch. I don't see it as a better deal since you wouldn't have the full 20 years of matching to offset the loss in the defined benefits, but for the new guys it's not a bad plan. At least those that don't serve the twenty will have something to show for it.

CPT Lawrence Cable - We are living in a world of theory but this will not add up to provide a substantial annuity in practical application. In fact, I'd venture to say that a Soldier should only serve one tour and enjoy a MGIB paycheck to attend a college or trade school. They could come out much better (degree or trade) than they would if they hung around for a handful of extra years for $10000.

Another problem is BRS will hurt the Army's talent management process.

They made an assumption and fact indicated the assumption was very wrong.