#KeepYourPromise
Step 1: Follow “Keep Your Promise” to keep abreast of the latest changes. Invite your friends both military and nonmilitary supporters to like the page as well.
Step 2: Please join these two public Facebook events so you can be kept in the loop with what is going on.
- April 30th: House Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel Markup of 2015 NDAA
- May 6th: Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on Military Compensation
Step 3: Write the following email to Congress today. Why is this so important?
Commenting on Facebook is not enough. It is so important that you spend a few minutes to contact your Senators or Representatives. We’ve made it simple so you can copy/paste the text, adjust as necessary, and fill in the blanks.
We’ve included the emails, twitter and Facebook information for those Representatives and Senators who sit on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. They’re the ones we’re trying to persuade as the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act is being considered.
Step 4: After you’ve emailed them, follow up with a Tweet or Facebook their walls to let them know you’re concerned.
A big thanks to MOAA and Tony Carr, for putting together this fantastic resource.
If you want to contact them all, please use the bcc (blind carbon copy) feature of your email.
Dear Representative/Senator {insert name},
I am writing to urge you to avoid the piecemeal, budget driven changes to military compensation and benefits as presented in the President’s 2015 budget. I am concerned that the White House and the Pentagon are repeating some of the very same mistakes that led to significant retention problems the nation experienced in the late 1990s. The “quadruple whammy” of capping pay, increasing out-of-pocket housing expenses, slashing commissary benefits, and cutting health care benefits would be four giant steps towards repeating the unwise measures which led to retention and readiness problems in the past.
I understand that our uniformed leaders feel like they are trapped in a vicious budgetary cycle. With so much of the defense budget under the absurd thumb of sequestration and facing the reality that our country’s strategic choices have slowed modernization, the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and their Senior Enlisted Advisers have begun wrongly framing the budget dilemma as a choice between appropriate compensation and adequate readiness . . . between critical benefits for service members and their families versus the latest equipment. This is a false choice. It’s a choice that avoids speaking truth to power. If allowed to drive the budget debate, this false choice will continue to mask unsustainable spending that is not advancing the nation’s defense. It will also unravel the formula upon which the vitality of the all-volunteer force depends.
Leadership is a tough charge. It requires a great deal from those who undertake it, to include facing down powerful interests when the future of our national defense hangs in the balance. If the all-volunteer force is to remain strong into the future and preclude the need for conscription or unacceptable risk of battlefield defeat when our country again finds itself faced with a dangerous adversary, the Congress must accept spending cuts where they can truly be had without damaging defense: by closing bases, ending unnecessary weapons programs, fighting addiction to technology in areas where it doesn’t add value, and reducing bureaucratic bloat. There is plenty of room to reform the Department of Defense without doing so on the backs of our defenders.
I understand that reform to the compensation and benefit package may occur in the near future, but I strongly encourage you to allow the Congressionally-directed Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (MCRMC) to complete its mission so that a fuller understanding of the holistic needs of the all-volunteer force can be better understood.
Thank you for your time.
{write your name and any other personal information you’d like to include}
Points of Contact on Senate Armed Services Committee
If you’re going to email more than ONE person, please use the bcc (blind carbon copy) field
Chairman, Senate Armed Services Committee
- Levin, Carl – (D-MI), (202) 224-6221 http://www.levin.senate.gov/ @SenCarlLevin https://www.facebook.com/carllevin
- Chief of Staff: jack_danielson@levin.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: ben_brenner@levin.senate.gov
- Legislative Correspondent for Defense: hani_garabyare@levin.senate.gov
Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee
- Inhofe, James – (R-OK), (202) 224-4721, http://www.inhofe.senate.gov/, @jiminhofe https://www.facebook.com/jiminhofe
- Chief of Staff: ryan_jackson@inhofe.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant/Counsel: joel_starr@inhofe.senate.gov
- Defense Fellow: james_masoner@inhofe.senate.gov
Personnel Subcommittee Chair
- Gillibrand, Kirsten E. – (D – NY), (202) 224-4451, https://twitter.com/SenGillibrand, @SenGillibrand https://www.facebook.com/KirstenGillibrand
- Chief of Staff: jess_fassler@gillibrand.senate.gov
- Senior Adviser: moran_banai@gillibrand.senate.gov
- Defense Fellow: sarita_dyer@gillibrand.senate.gov
Personnel Subcommittee Ranking Member
- Graham, Lindsey – (R – SC), (202) 224-5972, https://twitter.com/GrahamBlog, @GrahamBlog https://www.facebook.com/USSenatorLindseyGraham
- Chief of Staff: richard_perry@lgraham.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: craig_abele@lgraham.senate.gov
- MLA: marissa_prianti@lgraham.senate.gov
- Blumenthal, Richard – (D – CT), (202) 224-2823, https://twitter.com/SenBlumenthal, @SenBlumenthal https://www.facebook.com/dickblumenthal
- Chief of Staff: laurie_rubiner@blumenthal.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: jenna_spinks@blumenthal.senate.gov
- Defense Fellow: joe_steinfels@blumenthal.senate.gov
- Hagan, Kay R. – (D – NC), (202) 224-6342, https://twitter.com/SenatorHagan, @SenatorHagan https://www.facebook.com/SenatorHagan
- Chief of Staff: mike_harney@hagan.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: chris_cannon@hagan.senate.gov
- Defense Fellow: juan_espinosa@hagan.senate.gov
- Hirono, Mazie K. – (D – HI), (202) 224-6361, https://twitter.com/maziehirono, @maziehirono https://www.facebook.com/mazie.hirono
- Chief of Staff: betsy_lin@hirono.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: nick_ikeda@hirono.senate.gov
- Defense Fellow: N/A
- Kaine, Tim – (D – VA), (202) 224-4024, https://twitter.com/SenKaineOffice, @SenKaineOffice https://www.facebook.com/SenatorKaine
- Chief of Staff: mike_henry@kaine.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: karen_courington@kaine.senate.gov
- Defense Fellow: james_reeve@kaine.senate.gov
- King, Angus S., Jr. – (I – ME) (202) 224-5344, https://twitter.com/SenAngusKing, @SenAngusKing https://www.facebook.com/SenatorAngusSKingJr
- Chief of Staff: kay_rand@king.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: steve_smith@king.senate.gov
- Defense Fellow: N/A
- Ayotte, Kelly – (R – NH), (202) 224-3324, https://twitter.com/KellyAyotte, @KellyAyotte https://www.facebook.com/kellyayottenh
- Chief of Staff: john_easton@ayotte.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: brad_bowman@ayotte.senate.gov
- Defense Fellow: francy_nichols@ayotte.senate.gov
- Blunt, Roy – (R – MO), (202) 224-5721, https://twitter.com/RoyBlunt, @RoyBlunt https://www.facebook.com/RoyForMissouri
- Chief of Staff: glen_chambers@blunt.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: bo_prosch@blunt.senate.gov
- Defense Fellow: kc_courtland@blunt.senate.gov
- Chambliss, Saxby – (R – GA), (202) 224-3521, https://twitter.com/SaxbyChambliss, @SaxbyChambliss https://www.facebook.com/SaxbyChambliss
- Chief of Staff: camila_knowles@chambliss.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: brandon_bell@chambliss.senate.gov
- Defense Fellow: lewis_sorvillo@chambliss.senate.gov
- Lee, Mike – (R – UT), (202) 224-5444, https://twitter.com/SenMikeLee, @SenMikeLee https://www.facebook.com/senatormikelee
- Chief of Staff: boyd_matheson@lee.senate.gov
- Legislative Director: wendy_baig@lee.senate.gov
- Legislative Counsel: robert_moore@lee.senate.gov
Other Senators on Senate Armed Services Committee
- Reed, Jack – (D-RI), (202) 224-4642, http://www.reed.senate.gov/ @SenJackReed https://www.facebook.com/SenJackReed
- Chief of Staff: neil_campbell@reed.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: carolyn_chuhta@reed.senate.gov
- Military Fellow: larry_meehan@reed.senate.gov
- Nelson, Bill – (D-FL), (202) 224-5274, http://www.billnelson.senate.gov/, @SenBillNelson https://www.facebook.com/billnelson
- Chief of Staff: pete_mitchell@billnelson.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: cathy_haverstock@billnelson.senate.gov
- Military Fellow: amanda_figueroa@billnelson.senate.gov
- McCaskkill, Claire – (D-MO), (202) 224-6154, http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/, @clairecmc https://www.facebook.com/senatormccaskill
- Chief of Staff: julie_dwyer@mccaskill.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: jason_rauch@mccaskill.senate.gov
- Legislative Correspondent: nick_rawls@mccaskill.senate.gov
- Udall, Mark – (D-CO), (202) 224-5941, http://www.markudall.senate.gov/, @MarkUdall https://www.facebook.com/markudall
- Chief of Staff: michael_sozan@markudall.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: casey_howard@markudall.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: leslie_hylton@markudall.senate.gov
- Manchin, Joe – (D-WV), (202) 224-3954, http://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/, @Sen_JoeManchin https://www.facebook.com/JoeManchinIII
- Chief of Staff: hayden_rogers@manchin.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: david_laporte@manchin.senate.gov
- Military Fellows: mike_gorby@manchin.senate.gov and michael_youngson@manchin.senate.gov
- Shaheen, Jeanne – (D-NH), (202) 224-2841, http://www.shaheen.senate.gov/, @JeanneShaheen https://www.facebook.com/SenatorShaheen
- Chief of Staff: maura_keefe@shaheen.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: patrick_day@shaheen.senate.gov
- Military Fellow: anne_dreazen@shaheen.senate.gov
- Donnelly, Joe – (D – IN), (202) 224-4814, http://www.donnelly.senate.gov/, @SenDonnelly https://www.facebook.com/senatordonnelly
- Chief of Staff: joel_elliott@donnelly.senate.gov
- MLA: Vacant
- Military Legislative Correspondent: david_park@donnelly.senate.gov
- McCain, John – (R-AZ), (202) 224-2235, http://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/, @SenJohnMcCain https://www.facebook.com/johnmccain
- Chief of Staff: pablo_carrillo@mccain.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: Vacant
- Military Fellow: micah_murphy@mccain.senate.gov
- Sessions, Jeff – (R-AL), (202) 224-4124, http://www.sessions.senate.gov/public/, @SenatorSessions https://www.facebook.com/jeffsessions
- Chief of Staff: rick_dearborn@sessions.senate.gov
- Senior Defense Policy Adviser: pete_landrum@sessions.senate.gov
- Military Fellow: david_hawkins@sessions.senate.gov
- Wicker, Roger – (R-MS), (202) 224-6253, http://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/, @RogerWicker https://www.facebook.com/wicker
- Chief of Staff: michelle_richardson@wicker.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: joseph_lai@wicker.senate.gov
- Military Fellow: errol_robinson@wicker.senate.gov
- Fischer, Deb – (R-NE), (202) 224-6551, http://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/, @SenatorFischer https://www.facebook.com/senatordebfischer
- Chief of Staff: mike_hybl@fischer.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: peter_schirtzinger@fischer.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Correspondent: joseph_wright@fischer.senate.gov
- Vitter, David – (R-LA), (202) 224-4623, http://www.vitter.senate.gov/ @DavidVitter https://www.facebook.com/DavidVitter
- Chief of Staff: kyle_ruckert@vitter.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: josh_hodges@vitter.senate.gov
- Legislative Correspondent: devon_redfield@vitter.senate.gov
- Cruz, Ted – (R-TX), (202) 224-5922, http://www.cruz.senate.gov/, @SenTedCruz https://www.facebook.com/SenatorTedCruz
- Chief of Staff: amy_herod@cruz.senate.gov
- National Security Advisor: victoria_coates@cruz.senate.gov
- Military Legislative Assistant: jeremy_hayes@cruz.senate.gov
Representatives on House Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
House Armed Services Committee Chairman (Republican)
- Buck McKeon (CA-25): http://mckeon.house.gov/ @BuckMcKeon https://www.facebook.com/BuckMcKeon
- Chief of Staff: alan.tennille@mail.house.gov
- Military Legislative Counsel: william.norgard@mail.house.gov
- Military Fellow: gregg.jerome@mail.house.gov
House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member (Democrat)
- Adam Smith (WA-9): http://adamsmith.house.gov/, @RepAdamSmith https://www.facebook.com/RepAdamSmith
- Chief of Staff: shana.chandler@mail.house.gov
- Legislative Assistant: paul.hoover@mail.house.gov
Subcommittee Chair (Republican)
- Joe Wilson (SC-2): http://joewilson.house.gov/ @RepJoeWilson https://www.facebook.com/JoeWilson
- Chief of Staff: jonathan.day@mail.house.gov
- MLA: chad.sydnor@mail.house.gov
- Defense Fellow: veronica.kaltrider@mail.house.gov
Ranking Member (Democrat)
- Susan Davis (CA-53): http://www.house.gov/susandavis/ @RepSusanDavis https://www.facebook.com/RepSusanDavis
- Chief of Staff: lisa.sherman@mail.house.gov
- MLA: rekha.chandra@mail.house.gov
- Defense Fellow: thomas.koch@mail.house.gov
Republicans
- Walter Jones (NC-3): http://jones.house.gov/ @RepWalterJones https://www.facebook.com/pages/Walter-Jones/15083070102
- Chief of Staff: glen.downs@mail.house.gov
- MLA: raymond.celeste@mail.house.gov
- Defense Fellow: daniel.zisa@mail.house.gov
- Joe Heck (NV-3): http://heck.house.gov/, @RepJoeHeck https://www.facebook.com/RepJoeHeck
- Chief of Staff: greg.facchiano@mail.house.gov
- Legislative Director: james.langenderfer@mail.house.gov
- Defense Fellow: N/A
- Austin Scott (GA-8): http://austinscott.house.gov, @AustinScottGA08 https://www.facebook.com/RepAustinScott
- Chief of Staff: joby.young@mail.house.gov
- Legislative Director: matt.hodge@mail.house.gov
- Brad Wenstrup (OH-2): https://wenstrup.house.gov/ @RepBradWenstrup https://www.facebook.com/RepBradWenstrup
- Chief of Staff: derek.harley@mail.house.gov
- Legislative Director: lisa.collins@mail.house.gov
- Jacqueline “Jackie” Walorski (IN- 2), http://walorski.house.gov/, @RepWalorski https://www.facebook.com/RepJackieWalorski
- Chief of Staff: brendon.deltoro@mail.house.gov
- MLA: sam.fletcher@mail.house.gov
- Christopher P. “Chris” Gibson, USA (Ret) (NY-19), http://gibson.house.gov/, @RepChrisGibson https://www.facebook.com/RepChrisGibson
- Chief of Staff: stephanie.valle@mail.house.gov
- MLA: Vacant
- Military Fellow: matthew.schardt@mail.house.gov
- Kristi Lynn Noem (SD), http://noem.house.gov/, @RepKristiNoem
- Chief of Staff: jordan.stoick@mail.house.gov
- Legislative Director: andrew.christianson@mail.house.gov
Democrats
- Robert A. “Bob” Brady (PA-1), http://brady.house.gov/, @RepBrady https://www.facebook.com/RepRobertBrady
- Chief of Staff: stan.white@mail.house.gov
- Military Fellow: dan.davis@mail.house.gov
- Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU), http://bordallo.house.gov/ https://www.facebook.com/madeleine.bordallo
- Chief of Staff: john.j.whitt@mail.house.gov
- Military Fellow: tiffany.behr@mail.house.gov
- David Wayne “Dave” Loebsack (IA-2), http://loebsack.house.gov/, @daveloebsack https://www.facebook.com/DaveLoebsack
- Chief of Staff: eric.witte@mail.house.gov
- Legislative Director: marc.numedahl@mail.house.gov
- Nicola S. “Niki” Tsongas (MA-3), http://tsongas.house.gov/, @nikiinthehouse https://www.facebook.com/RepTsongas
- Chief of Staff: katie.enos@mail.house.gov
- Senior Legislative Assistant: sean.duggan@mail.house.gov
- Legislative Fellow: tim.helfrich@mail.house.gov
- Carol Shea-Porter (NH-1), http://shea-porter.house.gov/, @RepSheaPorter https://www.facebook.com/RepSheaPorter
- Chief of Staff: naomi.andrews@mail.house.gov
- Senior Legislative Assistant: susan.mayer@mail.house.gov
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