WITHIN THE past several years the military retired population has increased to a significant number. In 1900 there were only about 3,000 persons on the military retired rolls; by 1925 the number had increased to more than 19,000. In 1950 it had soared to more than 180,000. Thus, in a period of 50 years, the number on the retired rolls had multiplied more than 40 times. By 1960 the number had increased to 255,000.1 As of June 30, 1966, the number was almost 525,000. It is projected that prior to 1980 the number will exceed 1,000,000 persons.2 Recently retired personnel, by and large, are still relatively young, in their mid-40's, have a wife, and two or three dependent school-age children. Although the number of retired servicemen is large, the number of their dependents may be three times as many. Each year