Pentagon personnel chief David S.C. Chu told lawmakers the Defense Department plans to ask Congress to extend the military’s pay table to 40 years of service. At a Capitol Hill hearing March 2, Chu said the department wants to be able “to encourage some people to stay longer,” recognizing that longer service with “some degree of additional pay increase.” The proposal fits in with the recommendation (see above) of the Advisory Committee on Military Compensation to match pay with performance. Although, Chu offered no details, presumably the individuals asked to “stay longer” would be top performers or those in hard to fill career fields.
As Hurricane Melissa hammers the Caribbean, the U.S. Air Force’s “Hurricane Hunters” are busy flying into the massive Category 4 storm to collect atmospheric data—with one experiencing greater than expected turbulence Oct. 28.

