The Army’s civilian leader said Tuesday that enough lawmakers agree on the need to reform the military personnel system that Capitol Hill may finally take action.
Army Secretary John McHugh said the first step to getting anything done on Capitol Hill is reaching agreement between lawmakers and the Pentagon that something needs to be done. While there are still differences of opinion on the best way to reform the personnel system, McHugh said officials around Washington finally agree that something needs to be done.
“There are broader issues of agreement that I think can provide the foundation to do some very positive things from now to close out of administration,” he said during an event at the American Enterprise Institute.
A commission that studied the military retirement and benefits system this year recommended doing away with the military’s pension and replacing it with a 401(k)-like system, allowing troops to pay in and the government matches a portion.
The changes could be part of the annual defense authorization bill being negotiated between the House and Senate.
