The DOD should take advantage of these national economic trends to improve the capability as well as capacity of the force. As the DOD transitions a growing segment of its workforce into the knowledge-based economy, leaders and stakeholders in the civilian world may glean important lessons that can restore prosperity and mobility to the middle class.
We, as a nation, would all benefit from their success. Nobody should join or remain on active duty for financial reasons. As Reeves points out, the sluggish increase in middle-class growth is a significant problem in America. But it may create an opportunity for the DOD to build a more skilled and competitive force. Ironically, the men and women in uniform are some of the few members of the middle class capable of achieving the American dream they have sworn to defend.
Department of Defense, or the U. Order from Chaos. A how-to guide for managing the end of the post-Cold War era. Read all the Order from Chaos content ». Military pay is based on a system of equality that that makes the Soviet Union look like a meritocracy. Today, save for housing allowances based on location and a limited number of special pays, our compensation system is based on rank and time in service.
The rank part at least makes some sense. Generally speaking, more rank means more responsibility and correlates to the pay scheme most commonly found in the private sector.
The longevity part, however, is just stupid: Why do we give pay raises just because someone has successfully breathed for two more years? The key people the military most needs to motivate monetarily are not the new joins or senior personnel, but the mid-grade non-commissioned and officers who are on the fence about long-term careers and are at the top of their games as military professionals. Congress needs to authorize the military to flatten out the differences in pay by longevity and give the freedom to use the savings as performance and incentive pay.
As with any competitive venture, the services need the ability to experiment with incentive structures and compete for the best people. Perhaps the Army wants to ensure that it keeps quality small-unit leaders, so it gives the extra money to non-commissioned officers in leadership billets.
If the Air Force wants a more highly educated service, it can pay incentives for earning advanced degrees and certifications. Maybe the Navy wants to give bonuses to those getting top-ranked fitness reports. If the Marine Corps cares as much about physical conditioning and military appearance as it says, let it blow its money rewarding scores on Physical Fitness Tests and perfect uniform inspections.
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