Bill Clinton: “One of the things we helped a little at--I should point that out, I haven't mentioned it--the Defense Department is also…”

“One of the things we helped a little at--I should point that out, I haven't mentioned it--the Defense Department is also working on changing the pay scales, so that the rewards will ramp up more for people who stay in longer as they reach different levels of achievement and service. And keep in mind now, the children of military personnel are eligible for all the financial benefits that we put out there for middle class families generally. I mean, now, for example, in the first 2 years of college, virtually all American families can get a $1,500 tax credit--and if you're in the 28 percent tax bracket, that's like $6,000 worth of tuition--plus a dramatic increase in the scholarships, and a lowering of the cost of the student loans, and tax credits for all other higher education. So I think that we need to make sure our military families know about all these benefits and make sure they can take advantage of them, but I think on that score they'll be all right. I'm more worried about just whether the pay itself and the retirement are sufficient to allow good people to feel they can stay in, take care of their children, and know they'll be all right when they get out. Recruitment Mrs. Cohen. Do you think it's enough for recruitment? While it may be enough for retention because they're already invested, can we do more on recruitment?”