During "erosion of benefits" hearings in the 1970s, one service chief testified, "The troops don't need anyone but me to protect their interests."

Most commanders feel that responsibility — but let's get real.

Service chiefs and secretaries get graded on accomplishing the mission, not how well the troops' — let alone retirees' —  needs are met. And they have to toe the administration's policy and budget line. Absent a retention crisis, they can rarely push "people programs."

In fact, Pentagon civilian leaders have opposed most such upgrades over the years — as they opposed TRICARE For Life, concurrent receipt, and manpower increases to ease strains on overstressed troops.

Protecting the troops' interests — active duty, Guard and Reserve, and retired servicemembers; their families and survivors, and veterans — is a full-time job. And nobody puts more resources, effort, and expertise into fighting those battles than the Military Officers Association of America.

Who's really fighting your battles — and those of the entire military family - day in and day out on Capitol Hill? MOAA is.

Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF-Ret., director of MOAA government relations