Armed Forces News

Although the Defense Department has threatened twice to double the involuntary monthly contribution by enlisted members and warrant officers to the armed forces retirement homes, the fee will remain at 50 cents per month for now. Officers are not dunned because, except for those with considerable prior enlisted service, they are not eligible to use the homes. The two homes are the Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington (D.C.), and Armed Forces Retirement Home Gulfport (Miss.). The Navy has objected to what some call “forced charity” ever since Navy and Marine Corps members first were required to make contributions in 1991.