“You get a raise, and you get a raise, and you get a raise. You all get a raise!” That’s what Oprah Congress is telling its military and civilian Department of Defense counterparts this month, according to military.com.
The summary for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 throws a bit of shade toward President Obama, stating:
Unlike the President’s request, the NDAA:
- Provides the full 2.1% pay raise for our Troops, as required by law
- Stops the drawdown and actually increases the end strength of our Armed Forces
- Increases ground and aviation training to address shortfalls that have contributed to accidents across the Services
- Provides Operation and Maintenance support for a larger force, including increased depot maintenance, facilities sustainment and modernization, and ship maintenance
- Replenishes depleted munitions inventories
- Begins a turnaround in ship procurement with advanced funding for submarines and amphibious ships.
Effective January 1, 2017, members of the military and Department of Defense employees will see a slightly more than 2 percent pay hike. Additionally, threats to bachelors allowance for housing, (or BAH, were thwarted and the current BAH rates will stay put.
The NDAA provides funding for Israel’s missile defenses, plans to “deter” Russian “aggression in Europe,” prevents women from being required to enroll in the selective service, orders the Pentagon to reform commissaries and healthcare, and requires changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
