An independent review of the military retirement and compensation programs administered both inside and outside the Defense Department confirmed many positive changes the department is making to uphold its commitments to its people and also pointed out areas for improvement, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said today.
President Barack Obama today informed Congress of his administration’s positions on the commission’s recommendations.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Carter said he told Congress last month that many of the commission's proposals would significantly affect service members and their families, and that DoD owes them, Obama, and the country “our utmost diligence and most rigorous analysis.”
The secretary called the DoD review, conducted over the last three months, “a rapid yet comprehensive review of the commission's recommendations, working closely with both the commission and our interagency partners to adopt or refine the specific proposals where possible.”
Prepared to Support Specific Proposals
As Obama informed Congress today, Carter said, officials are prepared to support specific proposals for 10 of the commission's 15 recommendations. Given the complexities of four others, he added, officials will continue to analyze them and work with the commission over the next few months.
“In some instances, the Defense Department is already taking steps to implement these first 10 recommendations,” Carter said, “but in areas that will require legislative changes to do so, we will work quickly to submit proposed legislative language to Congress as soon as possible.
“However, while we agree with the commission that reforms to the military health care system are needed,” he continued, “we also believe that the TRICARE proposals in President Obama's fiscal year 2016 budget serve as a good first step by offering service members, military families, and retirees greater choice and control over their health care decisions.”
The secretary said DoD officials look forward to working with the commission, interagency partners, and interested members of Congress to develop additional reform proposals to be considered for the president's fiscal year 2017 budget request.
“The choices we face about military compensation are both vexing and critically important,” Carter said. “DoD will continue to work closely with the Congress and the commission to achieve the goals we share: ensuring the long-term strength and vitality of our all-volunteer force, and honoring all our service members -- past, present, and future.”