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A related concern

ian work--"the real meaning of military ser-

roles in an increasingly high-tech force could

vice and the intangible personal growth

be filled by people with one or more physical

is the transfor-

attributes intrinsic to it."162 Obviously a mar-

disabilities.168

mation of the

ket exists for tough service: the Marine Corps

Across-the-board pay hikes may also be

military's mission

alone continues to enjoy recruiting success.

justified, given the Pentagon's contention

that soldiers are paid 13 percent less than

from fighting

civilians doing comparable work.169 Con-

wars to interna-

Other Policy Changes

versely, some studies suggest that soldiers are

not underpaid.170 However, general raises

tional social engi-

would do little to solve the military's specific

Micro, as well as macro, policy could

neering.

problems, such as low recruitment and pilot

improve the manpower picture of the armed

retention. For them, targeted approaches are

services. The military is a tough life, especial-

more likely to be successful.171

ly for soldiers and their families stationed

overseas. The Navy has been making a con-

To address the problem of retention, the

certed effort to improve shipboard life; the

administration has proposed a $3 billion

early results seem positive, but there are obvi-

package: a 4.4 percent across-the-board

ous limits to such an approach.163 Also, the

hike, combined with greater increases for

some midcareer officers and NCOs and a

uniqueness of the institution and mission

retirement raise.172 However, pay and bene-

requires special consideration when design-

ing compensation and benefits.

fit raises like those need not require increas-

Policymakers need to think creatively

es in the Pentagon's budget, whether the

about how best to alleviate narrower grade

president's extra $12.6 billion for the year

and skill shortages. Charles Moskos suggests

2000, Bill Kristol and Robert Kagan's

using shorter-term enlistments to draw in

desired extra $60 billion to $80 billion

single soldiers interested in a little adven-

annually, or Frank Gaffney's incredible pro-

ture.164 His idea has merit. In interviews in

posal for an extra $100 billion a year.173 Any

focus groups, many young men objected to

pay and benefit increases could be financed

lengthy terms (four to five years) and the con-

through reductions in unnecessary bases,

comitant "interruption of life."165 However, a

weapons, and force structure.174 (A host of

downside of his proposal is that short-term

wasteful domestic programs, such as corpo-

tours increase military costs because

rate welfare, should also be candidates for

elimination.)175

turnover--and thus recruiting and training

expenses--rises. In addition, military units

Equally important, civilian society should

are also disrupted by a loss of cohesion and

speak well of the military and encourage

increased costs. Thus, according to Army

military service. (A recent example is the

spokesman Lt. Col. Jamie Sullivan, "The

effort of Janet Cohen, wife of the defense

problem is, it's not cost-effective."166

secretary, to boost soldiers' morale.)176

More use of civilians and lower standards

Indeed, just as voters in some states look to

for military recruits should be considered as

community service--such as time spent in

a way of alleviating recruiting and retention

the volunteer fire department--as a criteri-

pressures. Of course, both measures are con-

on for election to office, so could voters

troversial: Representative Buyer, who chairs

consider service in the military. A willing-

the House National Security Committee's

ness to join the armed forces should not be

Subcommittee on Military Personnel, warns

the only or the most important factor in

that the latter presents "a very costly and dan-

choosing political leaders, but voters con-

gerous risk to military readiness that must be

cerned about representativeness in the

avoided."167 Another proposal--with obvious

armed forces could treat military service as

one indication of a candidate's commit-

counterarguments--comes from Rep. Duncan

ment to the larger community.

Hunter (R-Calif.), who suggests that some

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