The Major’s View

There is a widespread misconception abroad in the land; it is almost an article of faith within the military and is, as well, a belief commonly held among those in crucial positions of authority in the civilian sector who ardently, and in good faith, support the military. It is, simply, that the military is grossly underpaid; that, in real terms, measured against inflation, military compensation is actually decreasing, and that many—if not most—of the serious problems affecting the military’s readiness to wage and win wars can be traced to the niggardly pay scale afflicting GI Joe.

This opinion does not square with the facts. Military personnel receive an annual cost-of-living raise. In recent years it is true, these raises have not been sufficient to keep pace with inflation—for instance, the 11.7 per cent military pay raise authorized by President Carter effective October 1, 1980. President Reagan is now considering an additional 5.3 per cent military pay hike to be effective immediately and added retroactively to the October 1980 increase. Buried deep within President Carter’s final budget is another cost-of-living raise—in excess of 9 per cent—to be effective October 1, 1981. Even so, critics of current military pay scales point out, these raises have brought us to a level where, for instance, a captain with four years’ service was making about $14,000 per year in 1972, whereas a captain with four years’ service in 1980 is making about $24,400. That increase of about 74 per cent has been more than eaten up by inflation.

JA

About the Author

Joseph A. Rehyansky

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There is a widespread misconception abroad in the land; it is almost an article of faith within the military and is, as well, a belief commonly held among those in crucial positions of authority in the civilian sector who ardently, and in good faith, support the military. It is, simply, that the military is grossly underpaid; that, in real terms, measured against inflation, military compensation is actually decreasing, and that many—if not most—of the serious problems affecting the military’s readiness to wage and win wars can be traced to the niggardly pay scale afflicting GI Joe.

This opinion does not square with the facts. Military personnel receive an annual cost-of-living raise. In recent years it is true, these raises have not been sufficient to keep pace with inflation—for instance, the 11.7 per cent military pay raise authorized by President Carter effective October 1, 1980. President Reagan is now considering an additional 5.3 per cent military pay hike to be effective immediately and added retroactively to the October 1980 increase. Buried deep within President Carter’s final budget is another cost-of-living raise—in excess of 9 per cent—to be effective October 1, 1981. Even so, critics of current military pay scales point out, these raises have brought us to a level where, for instance, a captain with four years’ service was making about $14,000 per year in 1972, whereas a captain with four years’ service in 1980 is making about $24,400. That increase of about 74 per cent has been more than eaten up by inflation.