Robert Hale, the recently retired comptroller from the Defense Department, said that lawmakers are increasing efforts to address rising military personnel costs, Military Times reported Tuesday.
“We are making progress,†Hale told the publication shortly before he stepped down as comptroller last week.
“It takes time to get Congress comfortable so they are willing to do this,†he added, according to Military Times.
Andrew Tilghman writes that Hale said the 1 percent military pay raise cap approved by lawmakers in 2013 would help the department save money.
The Pentagon also gained Senate approval for some changes in the Basic Allowance for Housing and Tricare co-pay programs, according to Tilghman’s report.
Hale believes the department will have to overhaul the shape of its entire military workforce in order to generate more savings.
