MAJ retention

Facts:
The army is short Majors (MAJ) - Washington Post article
However, retention levels are consistent with historical norms

Thoughts:
Based on this information, no monetary incentive is needed to increase retention levels. In addition, deployment optempo is not affecting retention levels. However, the Army did initiate monetary retention incentives for Captains (CPT).

Why? What are the consequences?
Does this create a mercenary type environment? Or a sense of entitlement vs service?
Will future year groups demand ever increasing monetary rewards?
What does this do to other year groups who were not offered the incentive? Does it cheapen their service?

My feeling is that if the officer was going to get out - he will still get out regardless of the size of bonus offered. There is no amount of money that can compensate for being blown up and shot at or even being separated from your family for 12+ months repeatedly.

Previously the highest reward for an officer is the chance to lead and command soldiers at higher levels of responsibility. Now is the reward money? The Navy and Air Force do reward their officers with monetary rewards. However, those services are more technically oriented towards their weapon systems (airframes or naval vessels) whereas the Army is people oriented. Rewarding a technical expert monetarily makes sense, rewarding a leader whose character and integrity are critical is a completely different matter. The leader's motivation should be service to the nation and the welfare of the soldiers under his command - not the almighty dollar.