Panel weighs giving troops option of cash instead of benefits

[lebkuchen]

Should the Defense Department take the money it spends on benefits and offer it as cash for servicemembers to spend as they see fit?

That is one of the questions the Defense Department’s advisory committee on military compensation tackled during its third public meeting Wednesday.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld chartered the committee in early spring, directing its members to come up with recommendations for improving the Pentagon’s military compensation system in a report due in April 2006.

The compensation committee spent its Wednesday meeting discussing options on five specific categories: special and incentive pays; retirement pay, including pensions and medical benefits; Guard and Reserve compensation; medical benefits for serving forces; and family issues, such as housing and spouse employment opportunities.


http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=30480

The childcare benefits the military supplies troops' families with now is paltry. There is a long waiting list to even receive that care. Try cash, Rummy. Your army is filled with people who joined at 18 just to escape a miserable family life. They would like nothing better than to make the army their family, though not under conditions that are worse than what they left back home, which is exactly what Rummy has managed to accomplish in four years.

What they want is a fast CAR. Try offering that as an incentive and see what happens.

[Spinzonner]

1. This just seems like another way of privatizing everything

and taking away a defined benefit plan. Not to mention:

1. Taking some of the value back through taxes

2. Exposing the troops to inflation of costs and resulting reduction of the benefit.

3. Exposure to geographical differences in costs.

I also think that younger troops or those less mature may be likely to misspend a cashout of benefits.

Why not just properly fund and manage the benefits ?

[lebkuchen]

3. I know somebody who was talked into reenlisting while in Iraq

because of a cash bonus. He spent it all on a car. I'm not saying the money was well spent. I'm saying, for young guys like him, it's a big enough carrot to dangle, just to keep distance from the homefront, in spite of the warfront. The army is in poor shape recruitment-wise. I think the article is another indication of having to grasp at straws before implementing a draft.

[Elidor]

2. What a stupid, STUPID idea!

Here guys, here's some nice shiny money! Or...you can have some boring old health care. Just remember how poor you are and choose wisely! I cannot believe this incompetent, bloodthirsty bastard hasn't been run out of government forever for his mendacity coupled with incompetence and such stunning arrogance.

[lebkuchen]

4. The new recruits are poor, and now Rummy is trying to appeal

to their greatest need, because Rummy's greatest need right now is bodies to fill boots to fight his war so Rummy et al can become richer. That may mean "enriching" the pockets of the boys/girls in boots for the time being.

[teryang]

5. Halliburton and the other defense contractors want it all

Let's screw the GIs out of their benefits. Want some beads for your lifetime medical benefits, GI?

[Patty Diana]

6. These whores are attempting to shield themselves from a FLOOD

of Depleted Uranium suits, they know are on the way. Just look what they did with Gulf War I vets.