Hagel warns on benefit cuts for retirees
Yeah, like I was told when I opposed Hagel’s appointment to DoD, “he’s one of us” because he was a Republican and a veteran. No, he’s one of “them”. Talking to troops in Hawaii, he warned them that their continued service in the military will not be rewarded by a grateful nation, according to US News and World Report;
The military is considering cutting retirement benefits and charging more for healthcare and prescription drugs, said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel while speaking to troops at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Hagel is on the island as a part of his tour of the Pacific region, and solicited questions from the audience of troops based there.
The department’s most recent budget proposal to Congress included increasing copays for prescription medication and fees for Tricare, the military’s health care system.
“We are reviewing every component of our budget, and we have to look at personnel costs because they represent the biggest part,” he said on Thursday. “We are looking at everything across the board, [such as] entitlement programs, in every way.”
I guess they’re not considering that there’s room in the force to reorganize and dump some stars – both officer and enlisted stars. Forcing out those people who have never deployed, have nothing of value to contribute to the future of the military, would save millions. Chasing pipe dreams like “green” weapons systems will remain on the altar of the politically correct, while balancing the budget will remain on the backs of veterans, who know, those of us who served faithfully thinking that our contract with Congress was unalterable. And now that we’ve fulfilled our part of the bargain, the bargain changes.
New and prospective soldiers see how we’re pawns in the budget cut games and they aren’t stupid. They’ll see no future in their military service and DoD will bleed combat experience while those who have no experience remain because they prayed at the altar. A hollow force would be preferable to what we’re about to see in our military.
Category: Military issues
But, Baracka won’t balance the budget on the backs of the military and veterans? Well, it’s kinda true, Baracka won’t balance the budget.
Meanwhile, he will screw over the military and veterans, because he can and because he wants to.
Am I the only one who sees something absolutely sinister in a Secretary of Defense making these remarks to troops? He was in the military, he KNOWS what this will do to morale. He has no excuse for this.
Why have even the Republican officials turned on our military?
When I talk to young people/get asked, I tell them the military is a great way to grow and gain skills without taking on a student loan. But I also tell them that you can’t trust government to keep it’s promises, and if they choose to make it a career, manage their lives as if the pension and health care will diminish and disappear. I.e., when you retire, be self-sufficient and not reliant on the government keeping it’s word.
And if they start out with that approach from day one, they can manage that quite well.
For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!”
But it’s “Saviour of ‘is country” when the guns begin to shoot;
An’ it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ anything you please;
An’ Tommy ain’t a bloomin’ fool — you bet that Tommy sees!
PintoNag: though nominally a Republican, Hagel has taken some “interesting” positions over the last decade or so. He’s also not regarded by some as being terribly bright.
I expect that we will see more of this in years to come, especially as Social Security and Medicare become more unsustainable. When it comes right down to it I have no doubts that Congress will sacrifice our benefits in a vain attempt to try and save those programs. I can even see how this argument will be framed-“why should they get something when they never paid into it” (I know it’s wrong, but it will be used by demagogues all the same).
Well, it was never about the money anyway. Still, I can’t help but feel that they ought to shoot us straight on all of this so that we can make up our minds about whether or not we can spend our time doing something else in order to secure our future or continue to serve with the knowledge that we do so knowing that our future compensation will be limited or nonexistent.
Why don’t they cut some of the politicians’ benefits? Probably save more money doing that.
@3, I recieved that advice when I was a young Soldier and took it to heart. For the last 17 years I have kept my budget as if I was still recieving E-4 pay and socking away the difference between E-4 pay and whatever rank I was at the time.
No one saw this coming did they?
We believe we will all still be alive to see the day when the entitlements that we are attempting to sustain by cutting everything else, including the military, will also collapse. At the rate they’re going, Social Security and Medicare will both disappear just about the time I’m eligible for them.
Cheery joy.
“I bleieve we will all…”
Sorry. Proofreading, not.
BOHICA
Another money saving idea- get rid of the redundant services. On post- We have MP’s and DoD Police- pick one nix the other. Same with the IT folks- we have BN’s and BDE’s of 25 series folks, yet the NOC and G-8 are knee deep in contractors. Same goes with mechanics and cooks- either keep the contractors and eliminate the MOS, or nix the contractors….(Here is a hint- the Soldier/ Sailor/ Airmen/ Marine has a vested interest in doing a good job and working hard, and doesn’t get overtime, and can work on the weekend with contract manager approval…)
I am coming very close to Social Security. I don’t care, well I do care what they do with SS because it will affect me. But…first and before all other federal benefits, never, ever mess with the benefits of veterans who have given a life’s career defending this country. Obama hates the military in my opinion. It is true the Pentagon is full and top heavy with non deployed, know nothings who, at their ranks, GO’s, will never have to worry about retirement benefits. The grunts and all those others who gave it their lives will suffer. It is coming and I am sad and ashamed of this administration for being in the forefront of this campaign. I am even more pissed and ashamed of Hagel. He of all should know better what this program will do to morale and the all volunteer force. If we can’t keep the promises of EARNED benefits to veterans then bend over all you other federal benefit recipients. I did not say this as well as I could or should have but I am PISSED with this!
I was on active duty when our medical ‘coverage’ changed over to CHAMPUS. I realized right then and there that were I to stay in and retire from AD that I probably wouldn’t have any medical benefits.
I have spent the last twenty years working for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and, with the advent of the ACA, I realize I probably won’t have medical benefits down the road either.
I guess I should just change my name to Tommy now.
I didn’t give but 2 years but those that gave 20+ deserve the best. Congresscriters get benefits for life with little to no work for it and they can’t be cut.
I am so tired of this shit. 24 years of doing what I thought was right and honorable in service to this great country and then retire and have to worry that a bunch of incompetents will do the right thing and honor their commitment to me. I guess I should have believed the old adage, “no honor among thieves”. Every time you turn around, it is a threat of taking this “benefit” or charging more for that. HONOR YOUR GODDAMN COMMITMENT TO THOSE THAT SERVED!!!! How hard is that!!! It should be at the top of the list of promises that you keep. Stop trying to balance a budget that you don’t give a shit about balancing on the backs of veterans!!
@17 You said it much better than I. Thank you for your career defending this nation!
You know, taken in context, it is very scary now to see what Obama meant when he told Putin that he would have more leeway after the election.
@17 – What you said, in spades!
What #17 and #19 said. I wonder who bought and paid for our country, and who bought and paid for our government to give it to them.
I have told my kids not to expect any ss or medicare type programs by the time they reach that age. My son is an active duty Navy Corpsman and he started almost from day one some kind of 401k thing. Hell, I don’t think I’ll see ss at this rate and I only have about 10 years to go.
I see this as the same thing that was inflicted on the WWI war bond veterans, except that when they demanded the payments they had been promised, they were not only refused but treated like criminals.
I agree, we’ll all have to be much more self-sufficient when it comes to retirement years. Whatever my parents and grandparents had, it is slowly eroding away.
@17 AMEN MasterGunz!
@23 – It’s funny, even as the benefits are taken away one by one, we get reminded “just be happy that you have something” by those who aren’t affected.
“For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!”
But it’s “Saviour of ‘is country” when the guns begin to shoot;
An’ it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ anything you please;
An’ Tommy ain’t a bloomin’ fool — you bet that Tommy sees!” R. Kipling.
Sorry for the repeat, but the words are fitting…It’s gonna be a rough couple decades coming up.
As an involved Republican, I can tell you the Bush White House (i.e., OPM) proposed cuts which our Republican Congressman rubber stamped. The difference is this president lies about his intent everytime he speaks. Let me be SecDef for a couple of months and I will show you savings. I’d begin with every set of flags, plaques and flat screen TV’s in every commander/director/civilian’s office and go from there. Every air base (probably others) have the current commander’s I Love Me project. At Little Rock AFB the latest was restoring a B-58 and lots of landscaping. Nice to have but not during tight budget times. My wife says “it’s a different pot of money” and I say bullshit, the Sec Def or Congress can easily change the law on interchanging accounts. What about year end spending and the rush to obligate unspent funds rather than turn them back and take a hit on next year’s budget. The system sucks and those managing it are not much better. Those still on AD deserve better and we are not seeing they receive it. Having vented, I will say if any officer/WO is not a member of MOAA, or any enlisted a member of a real association that fights for entitlements, join tomorrow; and, I am not talking about the VFW or Legion.
Explain to me again how we’re supposed to retain a quality NCO and Officer corps knowing full well they’re going to get royally fucked over if they stay in until retirement?
Oh, wait–they’re NOT supposed to stay. Welcome to the Hollow Force, circa 2013.
I was promised free medical care and retirement pay for life when I enlisted in 1978, if I did my 20 and retired. I did close to 30. When did the benefits I was promised become “entitlements”?
When welfare became a “right” Pam. Hey, money’s gotta come from somewhere, and keeping those folks faithfully voting Democrat ain’t cheap.
Meanwhile in state tuition marches on for our illegal residents…
It reminds me of the backstory of “Starship Troopers” where Heinlein briefly describes what led to the form of government in the story. It seems that after one last giant war, the returning veterans from all countries came home, lined up the politicians against a wall and started over. The means that was used to prevent further stupidity on the part of the political class was ensuring that the right to vote was only granted to veterans (not including those currently serving) and, in order to run for office one had to be a full citizen (ie. veteran). While this may not be practical, we need to remember that these knuckleheads in Washington will find any and all means to screw anyone who works hard and does the right thing in order to subsidize those worthless shitbags that mooch off of us. Someone has to draw a line on this and teach these clowns that this will not be tolerated. Vote ’em all out and start over.
Oh yeah, and that anti-semitic shitbag of a SecDef needs to go. Those cowardly Republicans should have fillibustered his unprepared, stumbling, bumbling ass (remember his boneheaded response regarding our Iran policy?). Fuck this guy.
@33 I have admired Heinlein’s vision more and more as the years have gone by. Time to re-read that book again.
I’m just entirely cynical about all of this having to do with pretty much anyone in D.C. and here is why: a few years ago when they were using reservists a lot more often there was a big push to lower the retirement age for reservists with part of the argument being that any other Federal employee gets to retire at 55 (provided that they have enough time) and regular troops get to collect a pension immediately after 20 years. So they eventually passed a bill with language in it saying that reservists get 90 days off their retirement age for every 90 days “within a fiscal year” that they are on certain orders. Now Congress says that they never intended for that to be strictly interpreted with regards to counting only days within a fiscal year by the DOD (i.e. if you do 89 days in one fiscal year and 89 in another, you get no time off your retirement, or 89 in one and 179 in another, which gets you 90 days off), but of course that’s exactly what happened (they also did not make the law retroactive to the start of the war, so you only get credit for time after 2008). In my last two mobilizations I have over 810 days, but due to the time periods I was on orders I only get credit for 540 days off my retirement (5 days between two mobilizations cost me 270 days off retirement age, never mind the over 900 days I have from previous deployments between 2001-2008). Anyway, I have been following this and Congress has attempted to “fix” the problem by passing a resolution telling DOD that the law ought to be interpreted more liberally in giving GIs credit for a lower retirement age (though why they included such language in the first place is a mystery, unless they were trying to give the bureaucracy an out). But it was only a “sense of Congress” resolution which is completely non-binding. So, the question is why did they do that? and the only thing that makes sense… Read more »
“increase prescription prices”?
Hell, they already have. One of my diabetes meds went from $15/month to $45 a month. No warning, by the way.
Mike
….And CONgress is allegedly forcing the Army to buy $436M worth of new Abrams MBTs that Army doesn’t want or need. Something about preserving jobs in certain congressional districts. Whats all this talk about tight budgets, and downsizing? I don’t want anybody on the tank assembly line losing their jobs, but here we go again w/ corporate welfare and protecting one’s political backside by bringing home the pork.