The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC) released its final report with 15 recommendations on Jan. 29. Since that time, The American Legion, as well as many stakeholders in the military and veterans’ communities, have been poring over the details, trying to determine the best course of action. Congress is now starting to conduct hearings on the subject, as legislation will soon be considered to implement some or all of the recommendations. The Legion will be testifying this week, March 25th, before the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Committee on Armed Services.

Some of the provisions are good and supported by The American Legion. There is increased emphasis on financial education, support for a mandatory Transition Assistance Program (TAP), support for better collaboration between the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, support for military families by recognizing the struggles military children sometimes go through with frequent school transfers -- all of these could be helpful to members of the military and their families.

Other recommendations raise questions. The reform of retirement plans as presented is complicated and could have negative impacts on veterans. Changes to health-care plans would mean adding additional management burdens to military families, and there are potential negative impacts to education benefits if all programs besides the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill are allowed to sunset.

The American Legion is taking the 15 recommendations of the commission as an opening to create a dialogue about these issues, and an attempt to engage all of the stakeholders to determine the best course of action for those who serve. First and foremost, we are talking to over two million men and women who have worn the uniform that make up our membership. The Legion is also engaging “think tanks” to discuss the issues with senior analysts, talking to multiple committees on Capitol Hill (including Armed Services and Veterans Affairs), and trying to encourage deep thought about the impact of these decisions.

The first and foremost principle is to protect the integrity of the All Volunteer Force. The men and women who fight for this country, and have fought for this country, deserve to have promises kept and to have benefits that do not negatively impact their willingness to serve. Rather than looking at each recommendation piecemeal, it’s important to recognize that many of them are deeply intertwined with others. You cannot change how parts of a servicemember’s finances work without extensive training on managing those finances; you cannot give the servicemembers short shrift.

Furthermore, where there is overlap in jurisdiction, such as with the education benefits, The American Legion is pushing for joint hearings on Capitol Hill between Armed Services and Veterans Affairs to ensure the full impact of these decisions will be studied before decisions are made.

It is important to take the time to get these decisions right, rather than rush to reform a complex system and potentially negatively impact millions of service members, their families, and the veterans who have served before.

Sincerely,

Ian de Planque, Director
Legislative Division
The American Legion