Tighten the National Budget by Hanging Our Military Retirees

The link that holds the nation together are the hands of the Vet, and especially the military retiree: Now under fire.

Background: A Pentagon task force is proposing the largest overhaul of the military retirement system in 50 years that will do away with a traditional pension system, opting instead for a 401(k)-style contribution program. Under the newly proposed Defense Business Board (DBB) plan, all troops would receive yearly retirement contributions if they served at least 20 years — a stipulation of the existing system. The money, however, would not vest until service reached at least three to five years and would then be payable at retirement age. If personnel left before that three- to five-year mark, the time served would be rolled over into Social Security. Story here and numerous other sites like here.

There is not enough space on this blog to even begin to outline my anger and rage about those in office, at any level, who is even thinking seriously about doing this for whatever reason their pea-sized brains tell them. 

We have about 2.2 million military retirees and/or their surviving spouses and children and/or others. The population of the entire country is just a hair short of 312 million. You do the math. See what percentage actually serve in uniform and what percentage actually serve in time of war vis-à-vis the overall population. But, you know what — Vets and retirees don't complain. They know their duty and they fulfill that duty both honorably and with dedication. For military retirees who serve loyally for 20 or longer, the sacrifice is even more complex. They do so knowing that the country has a bond with them for a decent retirement at the end of the day - a guarantee that has been there for generations.

Now, however, that bond and that link are about to be broken, if this asinine proposal ever sees the light of day, but which it must not. Not everything should be on the table in political lingo like this. Not like this and more so in time of the conduct of war. To date, we are engaged in 6 wars at different levels of involvement: Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen, and (again) in Somalia.   

I will be posting much more on this topic as time proceeds. Check back often and at other reputable sites. Then pitch in help any way you can to us in this new war at home: The War on Veterans and Military Retirees.

Thanks in advance.