Rep. Takai to Give President Obama Input from Hawaii Groups on Military Compensation, Retirement Proposals

Press Release

Congressman Mark Takai today issued the following statement upon holding a second meeting with veterans groups and community stakeholders to gather input on 15 recommendations advanced by the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC).

"I am glad that we were able to reach out to these organizations to get their input on these recommendations that propose some significant changes to the military compensation and retirement systems. I've said repeatedly that my concern is making sure not to disrupt recruiting and retention of the best and brightest in an all-volunteer military force. I also want to make sure that we maintain strong support for our military at a time when security for our nation is more critical than ever. I'll be including the testimony we gathered today in my recommendation letter to President Obama, and to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry and Ranking Member Adam Smith."

Today's meeting at the Oahu Veterans Center was the follow-up to an initial meeting on Feb. 21, organized by Congressman Takai regarding the MCRMC recommendations.

At the Feb. 21 meeting, Congressman Takai issued a call for reactions from the local community, veterans service organizations and other stakeholders regarding the recommendations, so that he may transmit them to President Obama before April 1, 2015.

The final report from the MCRMC, with fifteen recommendations for changes and modernization of the compensation, benefits and retirement system, was presented to the President and Congress on Jan. 29, 2015. No later than Apr. 1, 2015, the President will transmit to the Commission and Congress a report containing the approval or disapproval by the President of the recommendations.

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