It’s time for Washington to act on military pay, benefits reform

The headline states the case with stark clarity: “The 20-Year Military Retirement System Needs Reform.” The report, prepared by a government watchdog agency, argues that the existing military retirement system does a poor job of attracting and retaining the best quality personnel, and should be reformed to better reflect the force’s contemporary realities.

Here’s the kicker: The report was issued in 1978 by the General Accounting Office (GAO, known today as the Government Accountability Office). Nearly four decades later, the problems outlined then have grown more acute and the need for reform more pressing.

Which is why the recent final report of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC) is so important. This comprehensive 300-page document lays out a roadmap to responsibly reforming compensation, retirement and healthcare benefits for military personnel — and Congress should act on the recommendations.

Read the full article at The Hill.