There is another round of cuts that will automatically be made in the coming year if something isn’t done to stop them, to the tune of $52 billion. According to Hagel, “it would create “an extremely severe package of military personnel actions including halting all accessions, ending all permanent change-of-station moves, stopping discretionary bonuses and freezing all promotions.”
Here’s what that means:
◦Military members wouldn’t be promoted, and those recently promoted may not get paid for their new rank, as there is often a waiting period between assuming rank and being paid for it.
◦Military families wouldn’t be moving to new duty stations, or those who are leaving the military would be responsible for moving themselves back to their home area.
◦Certain bonuses would be gone.
◦A significant reduction in recruiting efforts.
◦A new round of personnel cuts.
◦There is talk of permanently closing stateside commissaries, the DoD’s answer to grocery stores, which saves shoppers about 30 percent on average over civilian stores.
◦Housing allowances are on the table as well, however Congress has to approve any reduction by law.
Sure hope our service men and women enjoy where they are stationed.