A higher paid salary has negotiating power when being asked to work over time. Want me to stay late for a couple days no problem. Want me to work overtime for a couple weeks? Then I need to be paid at least straight time for every hour worked past 40.

So far I haven’t had any issues with this approach. They either pony up or suddenly it’s not that urgent. Have yet to be fired, but I don’t get asked to work overtime unless it’s truly needed now.

It would make sense since that regional adjustment system already exists that they could apply it to everything. I’m sure there are some macro economics that would affect but I’m too lazy to put that much thought into it.

I think people underestimate how many civilians work alongside our men and women in uniform. Walk out to any hangar on a base in the US and it will be close to half and half. If it’s test facility it may be more civilians.