The president’s authority to block military pay raises due to economic concerns would be struck and pay for enlisted senior advisers would become more equitable under legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) on Wednesday.
Currently, the majority of senior enlisted military advisers do not receive pay raises as their responsibilities grow, and presidents have the authority to cite economic concerns in denying a pay raise for troops that coincides with the Employment Cost Index.
The Leadership Recognition Act would direct the secretary of defense to review what positions should have higher compensation levels based on level of responsibility. It also states that senior enlisted advisers to combat commanders should be compensated the same as enlisted advisers to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“Senior enlisted service members carry a great responsibility leading our men and women on and off the battlefield, and we must ensure they receive appropriate compensation as we seek to retain them and strengthen our military,” Ernst, a combat veteran and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said. “Likewise, it is important that we are able to recruit service members by giving troops a pay raise that matches the Employment Cost Index in the private sector.”
Ernst introduced the bill with bipartisan support from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), who said enlisted service members are “entitled to basic pay increases that will give them a chance to build economic security.”