OPINION:
This Thanksgiving we’re especially thankful for our men and women in uniform – both past and present. For the past 239 years, the freedoms we enjoy as Americans have been preserved by our uniformed service members. Today, they continue to defend our freedoms all over the world separated from family and friends and sometimes in harm’s way – without grumbling or complaints.
The military has a long tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving both at home and abroad. Military leaders will express their appreciation and gratitude for the sacrifice and service of members within their commands by serving Thanksgiving meals in dining facilities across the globe. National leaders have prearranged calls to overseas locations to chat with troops in order to express their appreciation for one’s service. As a nation, we will pause to take stock of our blessings of freedom and liberty, including the sacrifices of those carrying the burden and serving in uniform and their families. But as a nation, we can do more.
Congress left Washington for a Thanksgiving recess this week with work still undone for those in uniform. The rumblings from Capitol Hill suggest the House and Senate have reached an impasse on the annual defense bill before heading home to their families for the holiday. That means, upon their return to work on Dec. 1, the 113th Congress will need to roll up their sleeves with just 11 more days to act on the bill with proposals to erode pay and benefits pending. The
Administration and Pentagon proposals include capping active duty military pay for a second straight year, forcing troops to pay more for their housing costs, and having military families and retirees pay more for their pharmacy needs. Fortunately, all 435 members of the House said no to these proposals, but the 26 Senate Armed Services Committee members reluctantly agreed.
The full Senate’s lack of oversight is very disheartening with so many of our troops preparing to go or currently in harm’s way. The Military Officers Association (MOAA) believes the Senate should follow the normal order that the House of Representatives did by bringing the defense bill to the floor, debate these proposals, and the pending amendments. Three Senate champions have come forth to block these provisions with amendments when the Senate bill comes to the floor.
With increased threats and uncertainty around the globe, we’re asking more and more of our armed forces. The greatest gift we could provide to those on point for our nation during the Thanksgiving period would be to support the troops by blocking the erosion of their pay and benefits.
Sequestration has placed the Department of Defense in a difficult position, one they should have never been put in. However, we cannot balance the budget on the backs of the very people who bear the burden of security for this nation and who have given so much over the last 13 years.
We risk undoing all of Congress’ hard work over the past decade that included much needed fixes to pay and benefits. Rather than eroding pay and benefits in a piecemeal manner, we should await the findings and recommendations of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission’s (MCRMC) holistic study due by February. Then, we should allow the transparent review and debate of the commission’s findings and recommendations.
The backbone of the All-Volunteer-Force is the mid-level non-commissioned officers and officers who have borne the stresses of combat. Yet it is their compensation and benefits that are being threatened by the proposed budget cuts. History shows that cuts to pay and compensation have led to poor retention and, ultimately, poor readiness.
Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices and burden they all carry for the nation. The House supports our service members. Senate, it’s your move now.
Vice Adm. Norb Ryan, Jr. is President of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).
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