The Pentagon is likely to get a new chief of its sprawling personnel and readiness directorate, a top official who will oversee major decisions on pay, benefits and other fundamental changes to the way the military manages its people. Jessica Wright, a retired Army National Guard major general, outlined her views on many personnel matters Sept. 19 when she testified on Capitol Hill in her confirmation hearing to become the next under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness. She signaled her support for the Defense Department’s effort to limit the military pay raise next year to 1 percent, which would be the lowest annual bump in decades and for the first time since the late 1990s would fall below average growth in private-sector wages, 1.8 percent. Wright also said involuntary separations for some troops, including combat veterans, may be unavoidable as the military services try to save money by reducing their size, according to her written responses to questions from lawmakers. She said cuts to medical benefits — such as limiting access to Tricare health insurance for some working-age retirees — also may be necessary as part of the sweeping cost-cutting measures on the horizon.
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 16:30:39 +0000
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