NDAA features historic raise for junior enlisted troops [View all]

Source: Roll Call

Posted December 9, 2024 at 6:47am


The compromise National Defense Authorization Act that both chambers plan to vote on soon would give America’s lowest-ranking military personnel one of the largest raises in U.S. history targeted at a particular category of servicemembers, experts said.

The compromise version of the fiscal 2025 NDAA, released Saturday, would authorize a 14.5 percent raise for the lowest-ranking enlisted personnel. It is one of many enhancements the bill would make to servicemembers’ lives, from improving the quantity and quality of housing to augmenting childcare for military families.

But it could also create a problem for the Pentagon if Congress does not intervene this month.

The Defense Department will almost certainly be operating for the first few months of the fiscal year on another stopgap spending law. Unless that measure contains additional billions for military pay increases, the armed services will have to cover the raises by moving funds from other programs with “potentially damaging” consequences for U.S. military strength, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III warned lawmakers in September.

Read more: https://rollcall.com/2024/12/09/ndaa-features-historic-raise-for-junior-enlisted-troops/