Carter says military seeks new ways to attract troops

ABINGTON, Pa. — The military is open to anyone, regardless of sexual preference, as long as they can do their job, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Monday in a speech at his former high school.

"Whether you're a man or woman; gay, lesbian, or straight; no matter what walk of life your family comes from," Carter told about 1,100 students. "And we'll make sure you're treated with dignity and respect."

The military still bars transgender troops.

The Pentagon will have to consider new incentives to attract troops needed for critical specialties, Carter said.

"For certain specialty jobs, like cybersecurity, we need to be looking at ways to bring in more qualified people, even if they're already in the middle of their career rather than just starting out," Carter said. "And as college loans get bigger and bigger, for people with certain skills, we need to look at ways to help pay off student loans for people who've already gone to college."

Carter's speech followed a report in USA TODAY that he favors a series of proposals, including a 401(k)-style pension plan and incentives for cyber warriors, aimed at attracting and retaining troops with the skills needed to fight modern wars. They include:

• Modernizing retirement pay. The vast majority of troops, including those called on to do most of the fighting, would get a 401(k)-style retirement account. To qualify for a pension, troops must serve 20 years in uniform. The majority of troops serve fewer years, many of them enlisted soldiers and Marines, and they qualify for no retirement benefits.

• Recruiting a new cyberspace force. The Pentagon is building a force of 6,200 personnel, military and civilian, for its cyber mission. It has about half that many people now. It plans to have 133 teams across the services by 2018, according to the senior official. Another 2,000 reservists and National Guardsmen would be on standby for crises and to help defend critical infrastructure.

• Allowing mid-career breaks. The plans would allow troops to have mid-career breaks for school or family. Carter is considering allowing sabbaticals for troops to return to college, the official said. They could take a break from service to earn degrees or enhance their qualifications and return to the military, picking up where they left. The same break in service could be allowed for troops who want to start raising a family, the official said.