Many officers regarded the 25 percent cut for junior sailors as unfair, even though officers themselves faced a 10 percent reduction. Experienced personnel knew that poor pay could cause persistent grievances and drive capable sailors toward civilian work. Those able to succeed elsewhere had the strongest incentive to leave. A navy retaining mainly people with fewer alternatives would weaken its skill base. The immediate dispute therefore also concerned the longer-term quality of the workforce.
Notable Point · 1:49:27-1:51:05
Pay policy determines whom a navy can retain
Poor pay drives capable sailors toward civilian opportunities and weakens the navy's ability to retain skilled personnel.