Implement a mandatory minimum annual pay raise of 3% for all U.S. Military Service Members

Due to the fact that sequestration and personnel cuts are requiring all U.S. troops to work considerably greater hours, deploy more often, and see less of our loved ones, a mandatory minimum annual pay raise of 3% should be implemented. This mandatory minimum is easily achievable due to the money saved in personnel cuts alone. Certain ranks of the Junior Enlisted tier [E-1 through E-3] are able to qualify for food stamps. As a member of the United States military, being on welfare is outrageous. In our line of work, defending our country and maintaining a superior level of professionalism, requires a higher rate of compensation.
The United States military is the greatest military in the world, not due to equipment, nor technology, but due to the personnel operating the weapons systems.