It is just another insult in a long chain of insults thrown at both veterans and the active duty. Here is my plan to increase morale:
1. Open up Ranger School to all MOS' not just infantry and FO's. From 90 - 94 that's how it was, and anybody got a slot who wanted them. You'd still have to prioritize them to first pick-infantry officers and Enlisted, second pick- Combat engineers, then Armor and FA. Have the rest of the slots on a lottery basis for both EM's and officers AND cadets. If they want a beret, let them have it upon graduation for a little while. If they want it permanent, then let them wear the scroll too. Ranger training is one of the best leadership schools going. Remember the first of the eleven traits of an effective leader: Know yourself, and seek self improvement.
While infantry skills help all soldiers, it is the non-skill self-mastery that improves all people.
Second, get all open homosexuals out of the service. I don't mind closet gays because what you don't know... We may just consider throwing the useless women out too. If they don't pull their weight, drop-kick them.
Third, Open airborne/air assault slots for all soldiers, marines, and let the Navy and Air force have enought to fill their needs.
Fourth: Raise the standards accross the board for all soldiers, be it PT, grooming, uniform, ect..
Fifth: Have a concerted effort to reduce waste in every aspect of the military. Stress this on the staff sergeant and below levels. Recycle, and squeeze as much as you can out of what you got. Get rid of that old buget system that encourages waste. Give each company commander the authority to give a percentage (lets say 5%) of his units bonuses for excellence. It costs a soldier money to go the extra mile, and rewards push the poorer (financially poor) troops to excel, and when they excel they get promoted.
I know it sounds awful that troops are on food stamps, but a PFC makes a decent livable paycheck. The problem comes when a PFC can't control his desires and fathers children that he cannot afford. I've known people with 4 kids on a PFC salary. You just can't help them out. I knew a guy who was constantly at the chaplains office getting food vouchers, his wife was always pregnant, and when I went to his house to see if I could offer help, he had about $5K in stereo equipment plus all the playstation crap, and I could very quickly tell that he was just a moron unable to make priorities. This is why privates are on food stamps. Not the pay. The food-stamp issue is just another bogus press story to shock us into thinking the Army pays poorly. The Army does not pay poorly, it is a very good paying job. You must be dedicated though. You must be willing to use birth control (hell, its free in the army), and you must be willing to work to get promoted. You aren't supposed to be a career private.
The lack of leadership can only be cured with a purge though. Start at the top, and work down to the bottom. There are a lot of deadbeats who are punching tickets, and avoiding tough jobs trying to get to the top. Fire them.
My little plan will produce, because it has always produced. Pay isn't the issue, Leadership is.
