Gates Pushes for Military Pay Cuts

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday that cuts to the nation's defense budget will force lawmakers to consider reducing military pay and benefits, raising an issue that could prove politically sensitive in a time of war, The Wall Street Journal reprots.

The outgoing Pentagon chief said the government would have to "re-examine military compensation," consider altering the retirement system to bring down costs, and address spiraling health-care costs, WSJ said.

Cutting the budget "will entail going places that have been avoided by politicians in the past," Gates warned.

Gates has said the looming cuts are likely to generate a steep decline in military spending and could force the U.S. to abandon some missions, minimize the armed forces and possibly limit America's role in the world.