Two key Senators admit the problem. The problem is they want to use a corporate style solution. The Senators' financial solution is only fractionally different from the Pentagon's. The difference is the Senators would throw the money in a slightly different direction.
Where the senators are really off base is apparently not considering some their proposals negative impact on the military chain of command structure.
I am, however, pleased to see the problem being acknowledged and addressed at this high a level.
uw
Army Times
April 18, 2005
Sen. Graham: Recruiting woes appear ‘chronic’
By Rick Maze
Times staff writer
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is convinced the military’s recruiting and retention problems are chronic, rather than the temporary bump in the road being described by defense and service officials, and will require long-term solutions.
Graham, the new chairman of the Senate Armed Services personnel subcommittee, said he does not buy the Pentagon’s apparent belief that dangling a little cash in front of people to get them to enlist or re-enlist is going to solve the problems — and he doesn’t like the element of greed underlying the plans.
At an April 6 hearing, Graham expressed doubts about the confidence expressed by military personnel officials that boosting enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses and other incentive pays, including making payments in lump sums rather than installments, will help alleviate shortages.
While retention generally remains stable, the Army has missed its recruiting goals for the past two months, and the Marine Corps, while still meeting its goals, is drawing down its Delayed Entry Pool to do so.
Several reserve components also have recruiting problems amid multiple deployments for the war in Iraq and other missions.
Military officials said they would prefer to approach the problem by using bonuses and incentive pays — earmarked for specific skills or assignments — rather than spending money on across-the-board benefits, such as improvements in basic pay or retired pay.
Graham said he is not sure this philosophy looks out for the best interests of service members. “Generally, I think security trumps immediate gratification” when looking for ways to improve benefits, he said.
Graham said that is why, for example, he is committed to providing military health care benefits to drilling members of the National Guard and reserve on a permanent basis, despite Bush administration opposition.
Graham and Sen. E. Benjamin Nelson of Nebraska, ranking Democrat on the personnel subcommittee, said they are willing to work with the Defense Department on radical reforms if that is what is needed.
Nelson said he is willing to support a complete overhaul of military pay and benefits so that pay is based on skill rather than rank and years of service.
Graham said he would even be willing to support substantial reductions in benefits, including lower retired pay, as long as any cuts applied only to future service members so that the government wouldn’t be breaking real or perceived promises to current service members and retirees. |
