Setting Military Compensation: Pay Comparisons and Other Approaches
Abstract
Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to testify on military compensation issues. At your request, my testimony begins by comparing the pay of military personnel and federal civilians. That analysis suggests that, at pay grades compared in a Defense Department study, military personnel have higher take-home pay than federal civilians. Because of the many limitations on these comparisons, however, they should at most be used as one guide to deciding military compensation issues. Decisions should be based primarily on the ability of the military to recruit and retain the personnel that it needs. In recent years, recruiting and retention have been at or near historically high levels in all the services. CBO expects that recruiting and retention will continue to be very good for the next few years. In light of these results and the need for fiscal restraint, the Congress may explore alternative approaches to limit the growth in military compensation. My testimony concludes by discussing two such approaches: limits on pay raises and changes in military retirement.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 30, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA530714
Entities
People
- Robert F. Hale
Organizations
- Congressional Budget Office