A new study of US military personnel by the GAO has shown surprising reasons why they are not happy.
Officers............................            Enlisted
1. Equipment shortages.................Retirement pay
2. Medical care for dependents.....Equipment shortages
3. Personnel shortages................. Personnel shortages
4. Retirement pay......................   Basic Pay is too low
5. Medical care for retirees...........Frequency of deployments
6. Frequency of deployments........Poor re-enlistment bonuses
7. Civilian leaders of military........  Poor morale in unit
8. Lack of time with family............ Lack of time with family
9. Lack of personal time............... Medical care for dependents
10.(No single answer).................. Nature of deployments

The study included other troubling facts. Some 53% of Army officers, 44% of Marine Corps officers, 33% of Navy officers, and 31% of Air Force officers do not plan to re-enlist when their current obligations end. Among enlisted members in critical specialties, 75% of sailors, 70% of airmen, 55% of soldiers, and 48% of Marines do not plan to re-enlist. --Stephen V Cole