The antiquated classification system prevents us from competing with civilian employers in salary and professional status. Compensation is an issue for military staff as well. I clearly see this as an MTF commander. Military personnel work side by side with contract staff who command salaries far exceeding those of their military counterparts. This creates additional dissatisfaction for our military members.
Compensation is a powerful driver in the decision to remain on active duty or to leave the service.
Finally, there is a constant trade-off of tight resources for upkeep and renovation of old infrastructure. World War II era building configurations prevent us from keeping pace with the changing healthcare environment, and facilities are rapidly deteriorating due to scarce resources. These issues confront me daily as the commander of a military medical center. In my role as Director of the Navy Nurse Corps, I see the impact system-wide. Navy Nurse Corps officers fulfill this need through their broad scope of professional practice.