Air Force Times reports that “to hear the top brass talk sometimes, you might think the biggest threat to national security is your paycheck.”

“It’s become a common refrain: Military personnel costs are soaring, changes are needed. And, oh by the way, that will probably mean less money going to the men and women in uniform.”

“Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel sounded the alarm about military compensation and personnel costs as a major problem during a recent speech to an influential Washington think tank.”