NDAA features historic raise for junior enlisted troops

[BumRushDaShow]

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/

[BOSSHOG]

1. "Potentially Damaging Consequences"

That will describe the trump administration day to day for as long as it exists.

Fuck the most junior and poorest Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coastguardsmen and Marines. WHY? Because that’s what Putin wants trump to do?

[Old Crank]

2. Would have expected a link to the current pay rates

E-1 starts at just over $2,000 per month
E-4 with over 2 years in is about $2,000 per month.
These numbers are base pay. there are other payments for housing and food, uniforms that can add to the monthly totals.

Here is the chart for all military personel in 2024.
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.military.com/sites/default/files/2023-12/2024%20AD%20Pay%20Final.pdf

[chuck-o-duck]

3. Morale Support

There is soooooo much more that can be done to repair the services. I for one found a great place to stay out of trouble in the "morale support" classrooms and craft shops.
Not that I managed to completely avoid trouble. Two Article 15's and more close calls than I care to admit to. BUT still...

I only served three years active but it was a learning experience like no other I had ever imagined, other than the Peace Corps. I was brave enough to be willing to carry weapons into battle but not brave enough to take on "The Toughest Job You'll Ever Love"
I pocketed about a semester and a quarter of valid college credit-one class at a time. Every single one transferred when I went on to University because some commissioned officers saw to it that I took the right courses. I payed a very low tuition. And I kept the books.
My experience was over all a very positive one.

But to get back to the point. Morale support has gone though some very BAD changes from what I have heard. It has been given over to the greedy hands of private equity contractors. They charge outrageous fees for shit that used to be free and pay low low wages to the people doing jobs that servicemembers used to do. I was shocked to learn that that had even gone to food services. Please correct me if I am wrong about that.
I Never heard anything but complaints about the quality of food in the service before I got in. But the food was top chef wherever I went. Prepared and presented by servicemembers who I knew good and goddamned well would be right there on the front lines with me if and when the shit hit the fan. They had stripes on their sleeves too.
This blending of Private and Public in the military is a very messy and dangerous thing IMHO.

Morale support services need to be under the command structure and pay of the military itself. And those services should be free or nearly so for enlisted personnel.
Much more to be said on this subject.