The most recent Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (QRMC), ordered by President Barack Obama in 2010, has recommended a new payment system based on level of danger.

The report cites tax benefits as a significant reason for the proposed changes. Under the old system, service members in combat zones were given an exclusion for income taxation. Junior members, the group often paid the lowest amount, received little benefit from the tax break, as they had a lower overall income. Oftentimes, Junior members were exposed to the more dangerous locales.

On the other hand, Senior officers that were further from an actual combat zone were able to exclude nearly $7,800 per month from taxation.

The report cited a 2011 opinion piece in the Washington Post in which Capt. Michael Cummings wrote, “I didn’t deserve my combat pay.” In the article, Capt. Cummings details rooms with personal air conditioners, the ability to purchase and play video games, microwaves, and nightly dance parties.

The Department of Defense is still reviewing these results and has yet to make a final determination. Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez said: “We\'ll review the QRMC recommendations. The recommendations do not convey the department\'s official position but rather provide alternatives for the department to consider.”

So, what do you think? What kind of repercussions would this new pay system bring?

Lawrence, Chris (2012, June). Review recommends combat pay be based on level of danger. http://www.cnn.com. Retrieved June 27, 2012, from http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/22/review-recommends-combat-pay-be-based-on-level-of-danger/?iref=allsearch