MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine Armed Forces running out of officers

Argentina is preparing a package of benefits to retain military officers, who are abandoning the services attracted by higher salaries and better working conditions in the civilian sector, reports the Buenos Aires press.

The proposal is expected to benefit 16.000 military officers and would represent a monthly allowance equivalent to 58 US dollars per child between 45 days and 5 years of age. It is estimated the benefit would cost the Argentine Treasury approximately 11.4 million US dollars. The benefit will also include extra marital children. Last year the Argentine Ministry of Defence eliminated similar "discriminatory" measures which excluded non marriage children from school allowances. According to the Buenos Aires press in the last six months the Argentine Army lost 70 officers, the Navy over a hundred and the Air Force more than 20 pilots, all of which were contracted by the private sector. Military officers are in demand for their skills and professional experience. The main attraction for the officers who request their anticipated retirement is income and future retirement. An Argentine military officer with 15 years service makes an average 650 US dollars per month, but 60% of that income does not generate retirement benefits, says the Buenos Aires press. Argentine Minister of Defence Nilda Garré is quoted saying that currently the number of retired officers is slightly higher than the number in active service, a situation that "limits the operational reforms being implemented in the Armed Forces" which have seen their overall budget increased with promises of further funding. "Recruiting for the Argentine Armed Forces is showing signals of growing difficulties" says a report from a Buenos Aires think-tank Centro de Estudios Nueva Mayoría. The exodus of military officers to civilian jobs is partly attributed to the significant drop in unemployment, low salaries and "the hostility climate generated over the past few years", because of the crimes committed during the last military dictatorship (1976/83). This Monday anniversary of the March 24, 1976 military coup is a national holiday in the Argentine calendar under the name "Day of Memory", a homage to all the disappeared and killed during those seven years which are estimated anywhere between 18.000 and 30.000 according to human rights organizations.