Behind the Hill's Swift Reforms of Military Compensation

Over decades Congress has considered numerous studies on reforming different aspects of military compensation, from retirement and basic pay tables to healthcare benefits (TRICARE) and on-base discount stores. That pattern of incremental change was shattered the past two years as Congress, frustrated by budget caps in wartime and spurred by findings of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission, approved major alterations to retirement, healthcare and commissaries. Michael Higgins, an influential member of the commission, this month gave a frank assessment of recent congressional actions to a group of current and retired military compensation experts. For more details, see this Military Advantage post.