Top House lawmakers have announced that they are looking at “significantly” increasing pay and benefits for enlisted troops as part of next year’s defense authorization bill.
During a Heritage Foundation event, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala) stated both Republicans and Democrats are making the issue of military pay a top priority for 2022.
“One of the things that Chairman Adam Smith and I have been talking about — and we intend to lean into next year — is significantly increasing compensation and benefits packages, particularly for enlisted personnel,” Rogers said.
“We want to maintain a professional military, and we need to compensate them as professionals. And we aren’t doing that right now, particularly in the enlisted ranks,” Rogers said. “So you’re going to see us making some efforts to address some of those concerns.”
“Taking care of our service members and their families is an integral component of the readiness and resiliency of the Joint Force,” spokesperson Monica Matoush said in a statement to Military.com. “We will be looking at next year’s defense budget to ensure we have the right mix of pay and benefits to attract, recruit and retain the most talented military in the world. We will also keep options open if we perceive there may be a shortfall that would negatively affect service members and their families.”
First, lawmakers must finalize this year’s version of the must-pass defense policy bill.
The bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, would support providing a 2.7% base pay raise to all service members come Jan. 1.
via Military.com
At the event, Rogers stated that military pay needs to be addressed by Congress to recognize the sacrifice of today’s servicemembers.
“People have to remember that we’ve been through two decades of war,” he said. “We’ve worn everything we’ve got out, including our manpower.”
How will this effect Retired Enlisted
We’re supposed to get about a 5% increase.
What about military or disabled vets how would this effect us
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I have read it is 3.8% for active duty/reserve and 5.1% for entitlement programs.
You’ll earn about 50 more dollars per 1,000 dollars that you earn, per month. Not life changing, but it offsets inflation a little bit.
This is isnt a gift for anyone. They know and remember how they treated our military the last 45 years. Remember everything they called us. And how mentaly unstable veterans are. According to them and those on the left. Remember those in the National Guard who had to pay back their reenlistment bonuses to go to iraq. That was the obama administration. Remember surrendering our navy ship in international waters to the Iran. And our service members with their hands up being held hostage. That to was the Obama administration. The Irainans gave the ship back several months later after they stripped it clean for inteligence gathering. And we know how this adminidtration started when sworn in. They couldn’t care less ,who in our military or our veteran administration is treated or supported. We a pawns to greedy corrupt individuals in temporary positions of power. We are given scraps and are considered less then human. When you see how third world nations with direct ties too criminals and terrostist and child traffictors. Are paid by this administration using our tax money to enter this country and live here freely. And without any of the demands this addministration puts on our veterans or its own people. Our military and our veterans have been denied the basic cost of living raises for over 45 years bye the left political party. That the rest of this nation has been getting at the demands of the lefts political side. They has been shouting from the roof tops for over 45 years, How its unfair that those on the right have been treated. Their people and those people who they allowed to come here illegally or not regerstered in this country, should be treated with fairness they say. Those who serve our nation never gets fair treatment from those on the left. Ever.!!
Unless the left can use them as a political tool. Like they are trying to do once again….
As far as I know, as a military member, you are supposed to be apolitical. How about your knock this shit off about presidents you don’t like. That’s what’s got us in this mess to begin with. Your job isn’t to like or dislike ANY person in government. Instead, it’s to protect ALL of us, Republicans and Democrats, against enemies foreign AND domestic, like that piece of shit fascist Nazi, Trump, that some of you not only supported but attended an insurrection for. What the hell’s the matter with any of you who would have chosen to do that? Get a grip, grow up or leave the military.
You are a nutball! First you say don’t knock any president and then you knock on president Trump. You have to know that Trump had our country on a great footing with the world and we had reasonable oil prices then Brandon shuts down all our oil production and opens our country for all the illegals, 2 million in the past year. I will support President Trump as he is American first!
Seems like you don’t like the Great president since Nixon. We love ❤️ Trump the next President of the US. First order of business reverse Biden’s EO that suck. Second finish the Boarder wall with machine guns on top. Shoot to kill orders at the Mexican Boarder. Oh yes Nuke Afghanistan.
Melissa, You are a bad joke. The Pot calling the kettle Black!
Wow. Melissa you should watch something besides cnn or the msm Your world views might not be so narrow minded and blind to the big picture of what is really going on
How about you sit down and STFU. Having served 22 yrs on active duty I don’t believe you know a rats ass about how the military is treated. And they are not A political however they can not participate in political events in uniform. Democraps destroy the armed forces every time one of them occupies the White House. ie Carter, Clinton, Obumma. I was there under each one of these sorry ass presidents. So again SIt Down and STFU .
Knock shit off? That guy is absolutely correct how Biden and obama have shit on veterans and America. You need to wake up, the fake ass news has blinded you to what actually is going on. Have you noticed how violent crime has increased beyond belief? Have you noticed how the cost of everything has gone up drastically?Have you noticed how crowed the stores and schools are? Have you noticed how there are so many taxes and fees attached to everything?I guess you live under a rock? Who do you think is paying for the illegals? Duh, you/we are! Have you noticed how the illegals get everything for free and get treated like royalty? Why? They are parasites that are bankrupting us and you tell a person who says the truth to stop his shit?Do you actually think Biden gives a shit about America? He and his stooges are killing it!Wake up!I understand it is easy to trick the feeble minded,I understand the fake ass news and corrupt democrats have brainwashed you into being dumber than a rock, but not all is lost, there are people who have not been fooled and wish to help you! Wake up!
Melissa in which wars did you serve? I served in Vietnam and Desert Storm.
Bravo, Melissa!!!
I agree!!!
You’re useless if you as a military member are incapable of staying objective and also seeing that Trump is a lying piece of shit. Are you that stupid?
It appears most of these comments are from ignorance! My oath was clear when I first took it and remains defined. Protect the constitution of the united states’ against any and everyone that attempts to destroy it. Jan 6 clearly shows how a sitting president attempted to over through the constitution by staying in power after he lost at the voting box. Rather your a Democrat are a republican, any attempts to over look the will if We The People, calling state Governors and asking them to lie and change the vote count should anger us all. Trump is an authoritarian and America is not that type country. When you loose you freely surrender to a peaceful transition of power. Americans, Trump did not do that, he attempted become stay in power illegally. We serve the country, never a man. Sad if you continue to justify the big lie. AMERICA FIRST, AMERICA ONLY.
Exactly 💯
YES!
Lolololololol. Are you the same Mai on Facebook making all those spurious claims? You know you’re a complete tool, right?
Amen!
You need to be removed from military service and placed in a mental hospital ASAP! No drugs for you as your are already brain dead! Stop drinking the water and get on a vegetarian diet immediately! You definitely are not qualified to be the military. Remember, the oath you took included the phrase “being of sound mind and of my own free will”. Those recruiters with put anybody in boot camp!
WILL THE DISABLED VETERANS RECEIVE AND INCREASE AS WELL….A LOT OF VETERANS OR WAITING ON BVA TO SIGN OF ON DOCKETS THAT’S BEEN SITTING AT BVA WHY ARE THEY MOVING SO SLOW ARE THEY WAITING FOR THE VETERANS TO PASS AWAY…THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS ASAP.
If every one of you weak cheese sticks would shut your f****** mouths and look at the top and start down. First of all, you got an idiot. It’s in the city in the oval office that stolen election. You got to corrupt government. He’s leading. You got a weak chief of staff and secretary of State is afraid of his own shadows. Just looking for his retirement. You leave our people behind in Afghanistan. I’m a 20-year vet. Been through some campaigns. We don’t leave our people behind. What are you going to do when Russia and China decide the escalate something in Ukraine or in Taiwan? What happens then? This guy is going to leave you behind. He does not care. That’s why it’s imperative for all you veterans, retired or otherwise. You better pull your heads out of your ass and get this military to take over and get rid of these people that’s in the government right now. They need to be impeached relieved of command. You all took the same oath of office I did over 40 years ago. It’s still the same oath of office as it is today. How come they all can violate it but we can’t and they’re getting away with it. Forcing needles in your arms. No good. It’s proven by science to be s*** it’s all they’re trying to do is follow the Chinese Communist party. Remember something you didn’t fight for socialism I didn’t fight for socialism. I’m not a communist and neither should you think about what you all doing
You people need to take note on how the British pay their Military. If you have a complicated skill set you get paid just like a civilian would be paid. I am an intermediate level AVIONICS technician who should draw on 60k per year for my pay grade and skills. If all you do is menial labor you just get paid minimum wages!
I don’t think a bullet or a bomb cares much about how complicatged your skills are when you are in a life and death combat situation. When we join the military, we do so with the understanding that we may be put in harm’s way no matter what our skill set might be. We are not civilians, we are warriors all.
Good point. Is it right that an E3 computer geek, sitting in a command post safe far from combat, be paid more than an E3 being shot at every day?
If you’re a reservist in the US military, thank God you have a retirement. In the 90’s I served with some UK reservists. At that time, they got nothing for retirement.
No, its not. You all take a chance you deserve the same money.
I agree totally. Military career field pay scales need to reflect the nature of the job. Education, skill, experience, etc.
Here’s the reality. Rather a 71 Lima are a 11 bravo All soldiers are trained in the art of military combat and we are all qualified to protect on the battle field. Put all are equally important and it’s the greatest team ever.
We Took Note from England years ago to get away from your type of Government and its BS!
We sign a blank check with our lives and should be taken care of but not Dictated to!
So the it’s not longer about “serving” it’s about making money”
That be the case then the infantrymen and soldiers that are first to be shot at should be paid the most because they are putting it all out their with guest risk of death.
Veterans have long been overlooked for years. My husband served 23 years of service and is 100% disabled. He has had numerous surgeries and lost his hearing in a convoy attack explosion. He suffers from health ailments that he was exposed to and contacted during his years of service. He hardly uses veteran care because of the long wait to get appointment, lack of service, care,, medication and treatment. We pay out of pocket for chiropractic because he greatly needs it to help with pain management. While active duty he had better medical care to keep him deployable but now that he has been used up it is like he is no longer important. My family sacrificed 11 years of our lives moving around where the military sent us, my children attending several schools, and constant re-settling where we moved just to have my husband experience constant medical issues and lack of care.
Kristie, I am a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran. The VA healthcare program has changed a lot over the past five years. The primary care doctors are now set up as a team. Each Dr has a staff or an RN, LPN, and Admin to enhance patient care. I can usually get in to see my PCP within a few days depending on what my problem is. When my PCP refers me to see a specialist, if I cannot get an appointment within 30 days, I get referred to see a specialist in the community. This includes dental and eye care appointments. Approximately 50% of my VA healthcare is with civilian doctors now including optometrist, dental, orthopedic (including surgery), acupuncture, and aqua therapy (replacing physical therapy). Additionally every Veteran has a “Patient Care Coordinator” who provides assistance with any VA Healthcare issues that arise. I hope this will help you and your husband out.
I am 100% disabled as a result of the military. I have no issues when it comes to seeing my primary care or any other specialist that I need. My cardiologist had me in 3 weeks seeing one of the top heart surgeons in the country and had to have a quadruple bypass. I had it in a civilian hospital. For the past 10 yrs I have had my meds mailed to me. I know this is all there for other vets for the asking. Sometimes it is who you ask and how you ask. If your husband has a primary care provider then he has a social worker you can talk to.
What surviving spouses receiving DIC? We haven’t had a increase of standard to that of other government surviving spouse. The cost of living keep going up but no increases for our benefit from our deceased veterans who have gone on especially since there is only one income and remarriaging is out the questions because you will lose your benefit. Unfair!!
We are getting a 5.9% increase come January 1,2021 that should help a lot! 👍
My husband died in 1996 and I still haven’t received a head stone or other promises from the government I have tricare but it covers nothing in the area I live no one takes it I have called the closest base and can’t be seen I gave up my life to follow my husband and his navel carrer to end up with a check every month that doesn’t even cover the cost of medical insurance or rent every month what happened to the promise that was given to my husband
My x-husband served 40 years and retired. I was one of the lucky ones that was married to him over 20 years before we divorced and I retained my Tri Care for Life. I believe that the amount of time you are with a spouse should be 15 year or more, not 20 years. I have a friend that was married 19 years and when he retired out of the military and if they divorce she will not retain anything.
We move around, have to live through wars they go to and what do we get at spouses and the children of them, NOTHING. Unfair.
They knew what they were getting into in the beginning!
Why should the Military 🪖 keep supporting a spouse who couldn’t go the distance! There are programs in place to help if you really need it! But you have to do your research help is going to be Automatic!
Child support should be worked out in the Divorce and attached to the pay I agree on that! But spoucel support isn’t the Militarys problem! If you don’t go the distance (and 20 years IS a good number) why should the Military keep supporting you, get a job like the rest of us! Should always have a plan B in the back of your mind!
Should say Help ISN’T going to be Automatic!
You must be forgetting about the draft. No choices there! I know my husband would not have made a choice to go to Viet Nam and be exposed to Agent Orange which inevitably caused his death.
I thought if married 10 or more years spouse was entitled to part of the retirement.
We are getting a 5.9% increase come January 1,2021 that should help a lot! 👍
This country has nearly 400 million citizens according to our last census. Of that less than 1% serve in the Military. Yet, we are truly 2nd class citizens. I’m a 100% disabled veteran 22 years of service who has spent 25+ years fighting to get benefits that should be given to all veterans.
Take for example Housing issues. In 1981 the Graham – Rudman Base realignment/ closure act started out to save federal money by creating a plan to combine sites and close some bases, forts or naval bases. I’m not sure of the actual number but I’m willing to bet that it would exceed 300. That would be about 60 per state. Each base had Housing, (individual and barracks) hospital, theater, stores, etc.,in other words a city. So why do we have homeless veterans. Men and women who have served this nation constantly giving until all they can look forward to is some people saying “…thank you for your service. ” and a folded flag at his/her funeral. Alone the way a fight for benefits.
My question is why can all veterans be awarded free housing after 10 years of service every base had houses and barracks that could be retrofitted to condos. That would be the beginning of solving a long list of problems for veterans there could be a decentralized VA center at each location.
Sounds like a good idea to me instead of demolishing them a retrofit for families and a Barracks would be good for singles 👍
The proposed minimal pay raise is a slap in the face. The cost of living has gone up much higher than that. Even the 5.9% raise being thrown in here is far below the COL. the last real and effective pay raise was around 1980. Funny Congress members can vote themselves a nice pay raise without much deliberation. After 26+ years of service I retired from the Air National Guard’ with full active duty benefits. 99% of my health care is through civilian medical professionals. I see my VA doc once a year. My brother served 4 years and recently the VA got him state of the art hearing aids. If you don’t ask or pursue to get what you earned, you have only one person to blame. Don’t just take no but fight for yourself and your family.
My husband was 100% disabled by the VA but when he passed away in 2018 I was given all kinds of reasons why I could not receive his benefits and he served army and navy both with honorable discharges and I am a 71 year old widower on I fixed income
I thought if married 10 or more years spouse was entitled to part of the retirement.
There is a survivor benefits plan which a retired veteran has to pay for out of his monthly retirement pay, It is an annuity and I believe is stil available upon retirement. One needs to check this out.
This is true. Spousal benefits come with a minimum of 10 years. Contact a service organization such as DAV or AMV or your nearest VA benefits administration! They all provide free assistance to help Vets with their benefits! Your entitled so put in the effort and seek your rightful benefits!
My husband and I were married for 26 years
There is a survivor benefits plan which a retired veteran has to pay for out of his monthly retirement pay, It is an annuity and I believe is stil available upon retirement. One needs to check this out.
What do I have to do to find out this information?
Contact a service organization that provides free assistance to Vets and their families. Look them up on the web for your area. There is one in each state! Or contact the VBA (Veteran’s Benefits Administration) They provide free assistance to help file claims for benefits! Not sure of rules for “walk ins” due to the pandemic, so call 1st 800-827-1000. Yes, it’s frustrating, but well worth the effort in the long run. Call or seek assistance Online! That 800 number can get busy, so be patient but persistent!
The cost to have this coverage is ridiculous and it should be an automatic payment to a serving and retired or honorable discharged spouse. I think they should get at least half of the pay their military spouse was getting plus the medical/dental benefits (and not have to pay out of pocket for it). I did 28 years and am a 90% disabled veteran. I joined the military under the promise and understanding that if I stuck it out I would be covered for life after that. That isn’t nearly the truth now, is it? I still pay an amount for medical coverage for Tricareless. Dental is a joke I pay over $200 a month for a service that only pays for minor anything. I had fillings that came out, fillings that were put in by the military. Will they replace them…NO? I have to pay a ridiculous amount to replace the dang things that were not designed for life. They were only good for 20 years at best. Well here we are around 20 years since they were put in and they are falling out. I try to do a good job of taking care of my teeth but I still have a family to take care of and we use what little leftover money from my job to take care of them. After all, they are the future of the United States. My health and dental should be covered 100% no matter if you have a VA disability at any level or none at all. If you served for a day you should be covered for life. After all, if you become a Federal Congressman or Senator you are covered for life on all sides. Let’s take this one step further. Do they need to worry about Social Security when it comes time for them…NO they to have their own system that they get to enjoy? I’m not saying they shouldn’t….well OK I am. However, this should be the system for our military. They, We went to the front no matter what job you had or have in the military from scrubbing toilets to pulling the trigger to kill our enemies, we should be taking care of them for life and not forcing them to wait or fight for their coverage or to even have to prove them were injured while in the military. I have small burns from working in the scullery on board a ship. They are not much but you know what if we were being attached my battle station was in the gun mount. So to make a statement that if someone sits in an office in the middle of Iowa and would never see the battlefront, is any less of a Worrier, is just insane.
I hate to put it this way but if you believe any thing the government says then you will believe any thing. If so, I have some Gulf of Mexico property in Canada I’ll sell you real cheep and don’t worry, the government will move it to the coast for you. I’m sorry but I have lost all faith in our government after all that’s happened lately. They will tell a lie to their dying mother if it will get them re-elected. I’m sorry I can’t keep my promises I told to get re-elected but no one would go along with me but I’m re-elected now so screw you. I thing of more lies to tell you when I’m up for re-election again.
My sister who lost her husband and she now is in ALS home. I am her advocate for anything she needs. Her husband was in the Army during WWII and he/or his spouse is entitial for help from the VA to offset her income to afford ALS. Started with a veteran assistance, paying a fee for their help. This was back in February and I keep trying to keep up with the progress, but it is unfortually not come thru yet. There was a snag on getting his records as at the time of his discharge there was no DD214 and had to request info thru National Arcihves, which was finally got in the past month as I understand. Now the paperwork has gone to the VA. Don’t know how long this will take but her funds are very low She will be 92yrs old tomorrow and she is wheelchair person who needs this help[. I am sure this information is not for this forum but I am getting alittle steam off as to needing our government who can help others not of our nation, but not to the citizens of our own. We are a great country and just wish it could take it back, to include help to our own.
Why do veterans have to have a 650 credit score to buy a house. I am disable vet 100 percent. I went to Vietnam my credit is shakey that should stop nothing
Because soooo many Veterans lose their homes and the Govt picks up the bill, which is rightfully so; however, there are plans/programs in place to help prevent the loss but people wait until it’s too late. If your having difficulty paying the mortgage be proactive and seek assistance before foreclosure!
I feel that as a spouse of a 100% diisabled vet for 46 years that we, the disabled vet’s spouses..should be a lot more than $1,3o8,00 a month. After all, we have taken care of these vets thru their hospitalizations. the pain that they feel, the meds that they are on; the moods that they go thru and who knows what else. I myself am om Social Security so I do have an income, But I am still alive and my spouse dies there goes 70% of our income I am not ungratefull as we have had excellent care. I am wondering if we will get a sutable raise.
How about compensating surviving spouses better. We lost not only our loved one but a significant amount of our income as well, leaving many of us with very little 😢
Melissa and John, I agree with you wholeheartedly. One point I’d like to make is when you folks raised your hand to promise to protect this country, you also signed an ENLISTMENT CONTRACT! that is legally binding! If I remember from my time in service during Vietnam, not only can you be “fired” for not completing your promise with a dishonorable discharge, but in some circumstances go to prison ! Quit whining and do your damn job. Most of you weren’t drafted but willingly signed up for the job. Or get the “F” out and let the REAL military do their jobs.
You can always get a factory job for $15 an hour
and see if that will pay your rent.