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unhappycamper

(60,364 posts)
Tue Jun 24, 2014, 10:33 AM Jun 2014

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 nation’s commitment to those who serve and sacrifice on its behalf. Others see military pay and benefits surpassing civilian wages and question whether they’re too generous, especially as Congress grapples with reductions in defense spending. It’s 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.
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Military pay is outpacing civilians'. Is it justified? (Original Post) unhappycamper Jun 2014 OP
Depends? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jun 2014 #1

Erich Bloodaxe BSN

(14,733 posts)
1. Depends?
Tue Jun 24, 2014, 11:26 AM
Jun 2014

I think the lower ranks are underpaid. I imagine those at the top are probably overpaid. But that really just mirrors the private sector as well.

I'd rather have military spending going towards pay and benefits, though, than towards buying billion dollar planes.

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