Uncompetitive Military Compensation Adversely Affects Readiness
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to determine whether or not uncompetitive military compensation adversely affects military readiness. Compensation in the form of wages, pilot bonuses, permanent change of station reimbursements, and temporary duty per diem payment schedules will be reviewed. Since the last significant pay raises in 1980 and 1981, military pay has gradually been losing comparability with the civilian sector. The result has been for some military members to seek alternative employment in order to maintain an acceptable quality of life standard. Alternative employment can be in the form of a secondary civilian job-thereby impacting focus and availability for primary military duties, or separating to pursue a full-time civilian career-as reflected in declining reenlistment and pilot bonus acceptance rates. Either way, valuable experience is lost and readiness is diminished. While no one joins the military to get rich, the patriotism that is at the core of military service appears to be diluted and muted with the disappearance of 'The Threat'. When 'The Threat' was real and there was an enemy that was palpable, military members accepted lesser pay and benefits plus increased hardship/inconveniences for the 'greater good' of providing service and security to our nation and families. This paper will examine military readiness and factors contributing to its current state.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA397045
Entities
People
- Frances C. Martin
Organizations
- Air War College