USA Today reports that “the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff petitioned Congress last month to retain privileges for top officers that lawmakers are seeking to trim, including fattened pensions and the number of enlisted aides serving generals and admirals, according to a letter obtained by USA TODAY.”  

“Army Gen. Martin Dempsey wrote the letter on Nov. 12 to encourage leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services committees to undertake comprehensive reform to compensation for troops, rather than a piecemeal approach, according to his spokesman, Air Force Col. Ed Thomas.”  

“‘The chairman supports congressional reviews of these programs,’ Thomas said. ‘His recommendation was simply to ensure changes are part of a deliberate review.'”