CHANGES ARE BEING MADE TO THE NEW 2025 MILITARY PAY RAISE


By akirschbaum
Soldiers ahead of 2025 military pay raise.

The Department of Defense recently released its $849.8 billion budget and details for funding fiscal year 2025 and its operations. Some significant parts of next year's budget include campaigning and integrated deterrence. On the other hand, another focus is to build the military's enduring advantage, which includes a 2025 proposed military pay raise. In a statement, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks mentioned that the FY 25 budget is committed to the military families, service members, and civilians. She added that the nation's success in maintaining readiness is linked to its success. The new funding plan will significantly focus on military family support and the economic stability of service members, civilians, and military families. Related read: B-52H Stratofortress Bombers Continue to Fly Above the Rest

The 2025 Proposed Military Pay Raise

This new budget is focusing on quality of service and quantity of life. A 4.5% 2025 military pay raise for service members who built on raises in the last three years also includes the previous year's 5.2% pay raise. Aside from a pay increase, this scheme will also cover the boost in child development centers. Plus, there is an additional number of providers in those centers. Also, creating healthy and resilient communities for service members will be a focus.Not only that, essential things such as allowance increases, basic housing, health care, access to healthier food, and child care—this includes increased pay for child care providers and a safer workplace—also cover fighting sexual assault and suicide prevention. Lastly, facility investment for quality housing enhances deterrence and improves vital operational infrastructure.

Other Priorities Aside From Military Pay Raise for 2025

Another priority is the collection of private sectors that will provide equipment and services to the Defense Department. The need to build an industrial base is a big lesson from other countries like Russia and Ukraine. Hicks also added that the need to strengthen defense industrial bases and top military weapons and enhance supply chains is paramount to deliver those essentials on time in war zones. It also includes speeding up the process of submarine production to decrease backlogs. Having the best equipment and knowing how to defend the country will prevent conflict and assure readiness. Aside from the 2025 military pay raise, the budget will also allocate $167 billion for procurement, $339 billion for maintenance and operations, and $143 billion for research, testing, development, and evaluation — including training activities for keeping service members always ready for war.Suggested read:5 Ways to Build Wealth With Military Pension & VA Disability

Budget Projection for Military Weapon

Vice Chairman of Staff Navy, Admiral Christopher W. Grady, also mentioned that the FY 2025 budget funds must include a portion of the investment in missile defense and national nuclear enterprise and strengthen cyberspace, space, and long-range fire capabilities. With this, the joint force can address critical modernization priorities. This proposal will allocate nearly $50 billion to nuclear modernization, including the B-21 bomber and Columbia-class submarine. More than $28 billion is sought for defense and defeat, and $33 billion is for space capabilities. Further, the FY 2025 budget not only includes a 2025 military pay raise but also needs to allot nearly $10 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative—the defense in Guam—and $3.9 billion for the European Deterrence Initiative, including NATO support.

2025 Military Pay Raise and Issues

Even though the budget has been announced, it is still changeable. Plus, the proposals need to be presented in Congress. As of now, FY 2024 has yet to be approved. This should have gone into effect on Oct. 1, 2023, but the Department of Defense has been lucky to be funded under a continuous resolution since that date. Its funding is operating under FY 2023; if the government does not provide any funding or continuing resolution, the government must shut down. This has happened three times over the last decade.Read next: Your 2024 Government Shutdown Military Pay Questions Answered


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