Low Military Pay: ‘We Need to Be in Front of the Problem,’ Honea Warns

February 1, 2024
Congress/DoD | Military Families | On Base

Service member pay was a top issue on senior enlisted leaders’ minds at a Wednesday hearing of the House Armed Services Committee’s Quality of Life Panel, Military Times reported.

“We must start today on reforming military compensation before it becomes one of those big problems,” Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea said. “It’s not going to be solved by Saturday, or in just one year. But we need to be in front of the problem.”

Honea’s counterparts from the other services agreed, as did lawmakers.

“It is crucial that these men and women are fairly compensated for their dedication, sacrifice and service they provide to our nation,” Panel Chair Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said at the start of the hearing.

The panel is developing recommendations for Congress to consider in upcoming defense authorization discussions.

Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Anastasia McCarroll

February 1, 2024
Congress/DoD | Military Families | On Base

Recent News

Murray Will Push for More Domestic Spending if Defense Budget Goes Up

Murray Will Push for More Domestic Spending if Defense Budget Goes Up

May 6, 2024

There’s some bipartisan talk on Capitol Hill of raising the fiscal year 2025 defense budget above the levels agreed to in last year’s spending deal. But the top Democratic appropriator said last week that “stronger investments” are needed in the national security...

Biden Says National Guard Should Not Intervene in Campus Protests

Biden Says National Guard Should Not Intervene in Campus Protests

May 6, 2024

President Biden told reporters last week that “order must prevail” when protests become violent, as some pro-Palestinian demonstrations have on college campuses across the country, as CBS News reported. “I will always defend free speech,” Biden said Thursday,...

Post-Leadership, McConnell Plans to Push for More Defense Funding

Post-Leadership, McConnell Plans to Push for More Defense Funding

Apr 26, 2024

When Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell steps down from his Senate leadership role after the November elections, he’ll have at least two more years in the Senate. Now he’s signaled one of his priorities as a rank-and-file Senator is to increase defense funding,...

In Our Communities

In Our Communities

Apr 26, 2024

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed a bill this week to make it easier for military spouses to start work with a license from another state, according to a press release. “Our veterans and military families have dedicated their lives and undergo great sacrifice in...

PAST STORIES