OTTAWA (CP) - Most members of the military will get a 2.5 per cent pay raise as of April 1, Defence Minister Art Eggleton said Monday. Non-commissioned members, general service officers and pilots of the rank of lieutenant-colonel and lower will get the basic raise. Medical and dental officers will get bigger raises to stay competitive with pay outside the Forces.

Many Forces members will also receive retroactive adjustments to 1999, bringing military pay on par with public service salaries, Eggleton said in a news release.

"This government is committed to ensuring that Canadian Forces personnel continue to receive pay and benefits that recognize the uniqueness of military service and improve their quality of life for them and their families," he said.

"The government is also ensuring that our personnel receive pay and benefits comparable to members of the public service."

Doctors and dentists will receive an 8.9 per cent increase. That will help attract and keep these professionals, the minister said.

Raises for senior officers, colonels and generals, will be announced later.

The raises bring the monthly salary rate for privates to a range of $2,081 to $3,037 from the current range of $2,030 to $2,982.

If this is the case will the CF's other proffesionals get raises in line with those of the private sector? The lawyers, engineers, social workers, etc?