This is a terrible, unfocused plank that is a grab bag of random wishes and left-wing government expansionism.
Wages are an economic issue in every industry, including the military. If wages are too low, they will show up in poor recruitment and retention numbers. Given good recruiting numbers, there is little evidence of insufficient wages.
There is no credible movement to:
- Reassign commandment of the armed forces away from the President.
- Move away from a volunteer force.
- Recruit to fill ranks with unqualified people.
The issue of women in combat roles is an internal issue for the military and does not deserve mention here. If it comes down to it, women may decline to serve in the military if they do not want a combat role.
These are in fact left-wing and remarkably expensive policies:
- Removing disability pay offset: A lack of an offset for other disability pay is unfair: you collect twice for one disability!
- Full health benefits for National Guard and reservists: U.S. health benefits are typically a function of employment. National Guard and reservists do not work when they are not on duty, so it makes little sense to extend health coverage to off-duty times.
- Lifetime health benefits: Just like with any other employer-sponsored health plan, military health plan should terminate upon end of employment.
It is counterproductive and pointless to have a witch hunt for homosexuals.
There is zero evidence that the military is mishandling HIV.
Separation of men and women in basic training is counterproductive. They will have to work together in the field. Why create artificial barriers?
The G.I. Bill provision is accomplished. The current bill pays up to $47,556 in educational benefits over a maximum of 36 months.
This plank is wordy. For example:
- "Upgrading" and "modernizing" are the same thing.
- Vehicles are a type of equipment.
- Something that is safe and efficient is also effective.
