Officials of veterans’ groups are railing against White House attempts to block larger active-duty military pay raises and to increase Tricare fees for retirees. “At a time when recruiting is a problem and the Army is worried about pulling out every stop to meet its recruiting and retention numbers, you really have to wonder what kind of message the administration thinks it is sending,” said Steve Strobridge, of the Military Officers Association of America, and co-chairman of The Military Coalition (TMC). “This is terrible for morale. It is disheartening,” said Mike Cline, of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, and also a co-chairman of TMC. Joe Barnes of the Fleet Reserve Association said the administration’s opposition to an extra 0.5 percent pay raise makes one wonder ,“what are the priorities of this nation.”
