The debate surrounding the fiscal cliff – the automatic spending cuts and tax increases expected at the beginning of the year if Congress doesn't reach a deficit reduction plan – has placed a lot of attention on the military budget. Lawmakers have been looking for places to reduce spending, and new analysis suggests that limiting the pay given to servicemembers may be the way to go, according to Military.com.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that military pay has increased 25 percent more than inflation over the past 10 years, something that could be contributing to the Pentagon's bloated budget. In fact, between 2002 and 2010, cash compensation for military personnel rose 52 percent. Experts suggest capping pay raises but still maintaining bonuses, but some are skeptical about limiting how much soldiers are paid.
"It's a burden and I think we need to do everything we can to support them," Vietnam veteran Dennis DeMolet told the website.
While there is a commitment to pay servicemembers fair wages, the fact remains the Department of Defense has to cut costs regardless of whether the country goes over the fiscal cliff. The DOD has to cut $450 billion over the next 10 years to meet guidelines laid out in 2011's Budget Control Act.