I am very concerned about President Obama’s recently
proposed $27 billion in cuts to military retirement and healthcare. As MOAA
President VADM Norb Ryan, USN (Ret) recently wrote, “Most upsetting, the
stated intent of the proposals is to “align government programs with those
in the private sector” and address the “measurable disparity between
the fees most retired private sector workers pay…and what retired military
personnel pay.” Those words show a shocking insensitivity to the
extraordinary demands and sacrifices imposed on career service members and
families. And, he added, “This isn’t just about equity. It’s about an
attack on the core elements that sustain the quality career force that protects
our national security.”

I pray that this concern will be addressed to the candidates tonight because it
not concerns fairness and broke promises to those who have sacrificed the most
for their country but also threatens the all volunteer military and could lead
to a resurgence to an involuntary military draft.