WASHINGTON (CLARKSVILLENOW) – President Donald Trump’s budget proposal, released Tuesday, includes a hike in defense spending that would mean a 2.1 percent increase in military pay, according to the Department of Defense (DoD).
Army Times reports that this increase equates to about $50 more per month for enlisted troops with four years service and about $115 a month for officers with six years.
Civilian personnel would also see a 1.9 percent pay raise.
Items listed in the proposed 2018 defense budget:
• Sustainment of the increased manning levels for the Army and Marine Corps in the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act as well as increases in Air Force and Navy manning levels.
• Additional funding for operating forces, logistics, maintenance, training and spares
• Additional shipyard capacity and aviation depot maintenance for the Navy
• Increased unit and flight training for the Army
• Increased weapons sustainment and increased end strength to address pilot and maintainer shortfalls in the Air Force
• Increased investment in a wide range of preferred munitions
• Increased facilities sustainment, restoration and modernization across all Services
“This funding is required to continue to rebuild warfighting readiness and will restore program balance by fixing the holes created by previous budget cuts,” DoD officials said.
Proposed reforms for compensation packages will:
• Expand access to telehealth and nurse advice lines
• Exempt medically retired and family members of those who die on active duty from cost share increases
• Incentivize members to make effective choices between mail order versus retail pharmaceuticals
• Modify blended retirement system to allow enlisted members beyond 26 years to receive government contributions under the Thrift Savings Plan
You can read more about the military budget proposal on DoD’s website.