Military pay is outpacing civilians'. Is it justified?
http://hamptonroads.com/2014/06/military-pay-has-been-outpacing-civilians-it-justified
Four aircraft carriers (at least $18 billion dollars 'worth'), from back to front, the Abraham Lincoln (72), the Enterprise (65), the George H.W. Bush (77) and the Dwight D. Eisenhower (69), tied up at Norfolk Naval Station on Thursday, February 14, 2013.
Military pay is outpacing civilians'. Is it justified?
By Dianna Cahn
The Virginian-Pilot
© June 22, 2014
NORFOLK
Whether you are military or civilian, enlisted or officer mention military pay in this region and you are likely to hear an earful.
To some, the topic is synonymous with the nations commitment to those who serve and sacrifice on its behalf. Others see military pay and benefits surpassing civilian wages and question whether theyre too generous, especially as Congress grapples with reductions in defense spending. Its an emotional issue, especially in Hampton Roads, where military pay drives the economy.
~snip~
In Hampton Roads, 25 percent of all goods and services are directly tied to defense spending; that figure climbs to 40 percent when defense procurement and contractors are included, Wagner said.
So small changes, for example, can have a pretty strong effect here because of the magnitude of (Department of Defense) presence, Wagner said.