The Marine Corps’ Top Enlisted Leader Believes Lower Pay Will ‘Raise Discipline’
04.11.2014 at 05:38pm
The Marine Corps' Top Enlisted Leader Believes Lower Pay Will 'Raise Discipline' by Paul Szoldra, Business Insider
The Marine Corps' top enlisted leader, Sgt. Maj. Micheal Barrett, believes the Marine Corps' quality of life is so good right now that if the service cuts back, it would actually raise morale.
"I truly believe it will raise discipline," Barrett said at a Senate Armed Services hearing. "You'll have better spending habits. You won't be so wasteful."
The comments come as Congress mulls a 2% pay raise for all service members, while some defense officials have requested a 1% raise instead…
Oh, come on. Seriously?
PS: Okay, I have no idea what the pay should be but this sounds weird given the vigorous nature in which some in the military–and its DC affiliates, so to speak–defend big ticket defense items. I know you get pressured from the outside and we have civilian control of the military, but it just sounds like you are punishing the little guy so that the big guys have their play money.
Even if that’s not true, it’s what it sounds like. The whole discipline comment, even if the lower pay raise is the better option.
Another “B” billet King speaking above his level of common sense…
SGM would probably be more disciplined in his speech if he made the same as his privates as well
It was always my philosophy that the enlisted “chain of concern” worried about Soldier issues, things like time off with the family, leave, and pay. I find the fact that the CSM is wading into what I call the “Systems over Soldiers” budget method is odd, particularly since he is coming down on the systems side of the argument.
He could be right that Soldiers have become “comfortable” in their pay and compensation system, but I doubt that is the root of any morale and discipline problems. I remember the days portrayed in “Heartbreak Ridge” where the Senior NCO’s would help out the married junior enlisted. My Squad leader came over every Friday with chicken and beer. He claimed he liked my wife’s cooking, but it was really because we couldn’t afford meat on a PFC’s pay and that was the best meal we had all week. So I am a little disturbed by the change in attitude.