Southern Dad
Senior Member
- Feb 15, 2015
- 127
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Actually, Congress passes the defense budget for whatever amount they think they are needing, and distribute it between the services.
Incidentally, the Marines receive the least amount of any other service.
It is then up to a committee of higher ups to determine if they need to offer bonuses to the various specialties or services, and the amount they think it would take to entice them to stay in. They determine the amount for each specialty, and then pass it up the chain of command to whichever secretary (in my case it was SECNAV, Secretary of the Navy) is in charge of their service, and they sign the authorization.
The person that is accountable, and can therefore forgive the debt isn't the president, it's the secretary of that particular service (in this case, the Secretary of the Army).
When was the last time this country has had a budget passed? The Congress passes a defense budget, it doesn't specify what every soldier, sailor, airman, and marine would be paid. It doesn't say how much in bonuses people will receive. Actually, I believe the Coast Guard receives the least. The USMC which is part of the department of the Navy makes up about 13% of the service. Hence less money for service bonuses. As you said the SECNAV is in charge and they sign the authorization. Of course, this person the SECARM is Executive Branch.