Special and Incentive Pay. Sailing Away from Jointness
Abstract
Two officers walk toward their F-18s. Both are squadron commanders of equal rank with similar responsibilities. Both have sworn to defend the Nation and deserve equal pay for equal work. They eat, sleep, and live on the same carrier, enduring similar hardships at sea. Yet one receives responsibility pay and the other does not. One is a naval officer and the other is a marine. Navy compensation is a patchwork of programs, a product of the unique relationship between the military and society as well as fluid economic pressure. However, despite changes in the Armed Forces brought about by jointness, the end of the Cold War, the drawdown in strength, the threefold growth in operational deployment, and the global war on terrorism, compensation has remained stagnant for decades. Special and incentive pay highlights the demand for a new system. Though each service has anomalies and inequities, the use by the Navy of sea pay, submarine pay, and responsibility pay needs an overhaul. This pay undermines jointness. Military pay needs a complete review. Special and incentive pay works against the military ethic. The services should limit its use to reinforcing the concept of jointness. Moreover, if operational requirements prevent such changes, the services should adopt a common standard.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA525438
Entities
People
- Drew A. Bennett
Organizations
- National Defense University