why that was nice

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

White House opposes 3.5 percent pay raise

By Rick Maze - Staff writer

Posted : Wednesday May 16, 2007 17:47:40 EDT

Troops don’t need bigger pay raises, White House budget officials said Wednesday in a statement of administration policy laying out objections to the House version of the 2008 defense authorization bill.

The Bush administration had asked for a 3 percent military raise for Jan. 1, 2008, enough to match last year’s average pay increase in the private sector. The House Armed Services Committee recommends a 3.5 percent pay increase for 2008, and increases in 2009 through 2012 that also are 0.5 percentage point greater than private-sector pay raises.

The slightly bigger military raises are intended to reduce the gap between military and civilian pay that stands at about 3.9 percent today. Under the bill, HR 1585, the pay gap would be reduced to 1.4 percent after the Jan. 1, 2012, pay increase.

Bush budget officials said the administration “strongly opposes” both the 3.5 percent raise for 2008 and the follow-on increases, calling extra pay increases “unnecessary.”

“When combined with the overall military benefit package, the president’s proposal provides a good quality of life for service members and their families,” the policy statement says. “While we agree military pay must be kept competitive, the 3 percent raise, equal to the increase in the Employment Cost Index, will do that.”

The House of Representatives plans to pass the bill Thursday. The Senate Armed Services Committee has announced it will start writing its version of the bill next week.

Two items in the House defense bill could lead to a veto, the policy statement warns. One is a change in the National Security Personnel System that would back away from the pay-for-performance initiative pushed by the Bush administration and reverse some of the flexibility provided in current law. The second issue that could prompt a veto are Buy America provisions in the bill that White House officials said “would impose unrealistically arduous requirements.”

In addition to the pay raise, the bill contains other personnel initiatives that are drawing White House opposition, such as a prohibition on further conversions of medical jobs held by military members into civilian positions.

“This will eliminate the flexibility of the Secretary of Defense to use civilian medical personnel for jobs away from the battlefield and at the same time use the converted military billets to enhance the strength of operating units,” the policy statement says.

A death gratuity for federal civilian employees who die in support of military operations and new benefits for disabled retirees and the survivors of military retirees also drew complaints.

This includes giving the Veterans Affairs Department control over the Reserve GI Bill, a program now run by the Pentagon. GI Bill supporters say this step is needed to set the stage for increases in reserve benefits that have been kept low by the military because it views the program as a retention incentive rather than a post-service education program.

The White House also complained about lawmakers refusing to approve increases in Tricare fees for many retirees and their families, something administration officials view as an important step in holding down health care costs.

Apparently words speak louder than actions.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/05/military_whitehouse_opposeraise_070516w/

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

and this during National Military Appreciation Month //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[ace_800 5,000+ posts]

I'd better get my **** pay raise.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

We only got 1.8% last year on the civilian side.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

Here the Administration opposes an additional $40 per month for widows of slain soldiers:

Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance: The Administration opposes section 644, which would pay a monthly special survivor indemnity allowance of $40 from the DoD Military Retirement Fund. The current benefit programs for survivors, DoD’s Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and Department of Veterans Affairs’ Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC), provide sufficient benefits and avoid duplication of two complementary federal benefits programs established for the same purpose — providing a lifetime annuity for the survivor of an active, retired or former servicemember. This offset policy is consistent with private sector benefits. The provision is estimated to cost $27 million in the first year and about $160 million through FY 2013. It appears to be the first step toward eliminating the offset between SBP and DIC; full elimination of this offset would cost the Military Retirement Fund between $6 and $8 billion over 10 years.

http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=391

Giving a widow $40 a month is just out of line, its easy to see why he would oppose it.

 

[ace_800 5,000+ posts]

faulkton- I believe thats an additional $40/month to what they get now. I don't remember what that is though. I haven't asked any widows since I know a couple.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

faulkton- I believe thats an additional $40/month to what they get now. I don't remember what that is though. I haven't asked any widows since I know a couple.

It states it is an additional $40 a month in what i quoted.

 

[ace_800 5,000+ posts]

Sry, I took your post as they were only getting $40/mo.

 

[bdmcleod 10+ year member]

There will always be a massive paygap between military and civilian. Different MOS's (Military Occupational Specialities) make it that way. A sargeant who is a cook makes the exact same as a sargeant who fixes flight controls on fighter jets. Compare that to the civilian world.

I am in the Marine Corps. currently, as an aircraft mechanic, and i am getting out soon. I have 2 job offers doing the same thing i do now. One for the gov., one for Boeing. It will easily double my pay, and then some.

Thinking that a few 3% pay raises will equal it out is laughable.

 

[Platestacker45 10+ year member]

I'm in the military and I still can't stand reading all the stupid drama bullshit you post

 

[bdmcleod 10+ year member]

I'm in the military and I still can't stand reading all the stupid drama bullshit you post

Old pic? Can't help but notice the goatee...

 

[Platestacker45 10+ year member]

Old pic? Can't help but notice the goatee...

Oh yea.. about 4 years old I think

 

[bdmcleod 10+ year member]

Figured. What branch?

 

[Platestacker45 10+ year member]

Figured. What branch?

Airforce

 

[bdmcleod 10+ year member]

Airforce

I won't hold that against ya. lol. JK