 |
 |
Today we salute 20 American Heroes who gave their lives for our freedom. Read their Medal of Honor Citations. |
|
      |
   |
 |
|
|
|
||
|
|
|||||
|
Forgotten password Login questions? FREE sign up!
SITES OF INTEREST -------------------- VA Home Loans GI Bill Benefits Veteran News |
|
Defense Department Targets Military Pay Increases for 2004By Sgt. 1st Class Doug SampleAmerican Forces Press Service
Air Force Col. Virginia S. Penrod, director of military compensation office for the Defense Department, said the 2004 military pay and benefits plan provides for a 3.7% across the board pay increase and further targets pay increases for noncommissioned officers and warrant officers, some as high as 6.25 percent for senior-enlisted service members. In addition, service members will see 2004 increases in housing allowance pay and special incentive pay. Penrod said the average basic pay raise, which is equal to a little over 4 percent, helps to close the gap between military pay and civilian pay. "Everyone receives a 3.7 percent pay raise across the board, this is by law," she said, adding that the pay raise is a half percentage point more than the private sector wage earner will earn. "The NCOs, E-5 through E-9 will receive targeted pay raises from 4.6 to 6.25 percent. And we're also paying a targeted raise to our warrant officer grades." Penrod also noted that part of the pay incentive is to help in retention of senior non commissioned officers, pointing out that highest pay raises, 6.25 percent, will go to E-9s with 26 years or more service. "This (raise) recognizes the contribution of our senior non commissioned officers and our career enlisted force," Penrod explained. "All NCOs will receive some form of a targeted raise, and the pay increases as the grade increases. So it's an incentive to continue in the military and to pursue higher rank." Also included in the package is an average increase of almost 8 percent for military basic allowance for housing (BAH)--money given to military personnel to help defray the cost of housing expenses. Penrod said the almost 8 percent increase for housing allowance continues our effort to reduce out of pocket expenses for military personnel, which the Pentagon is hopeful to do by fiscal year 2005. "When BAH was enacted, housing allowances amounted to 80 percent of housing costs, this left the service member with 20 percent out-of-pocket cost," she said. "In fiscal year 2000, the Secretary of Defense committed the department to reduce these out of pocket expenses to zero by 2005. And we're on track to do this." She said that military out of pocket expenses for housing is down to about 3.5 percent for January 2004 and "should be at zero in 2005." "If you talk to a service member today compared to their compensation package ten years ago they are very pleased," Penrod said. "The housing increase has been absolutely the right benefit at the right time. It shows we do value their commitment to the military and what they do for the country." Another area of increase pay will be special and incentive pay, such as imminent danger pay and family separation pay. Penrod explained those pay increase were made possible in part due to President Bush's supplemental funding request this year. That request authorized funding for increases in imminent danger pay from $150 to$225 per month, as well as increases in the family separation pay and support allowance from $100 to $250 per month. Other new measures in the 2004 compensation package allow for services to offer incentive pay to get officers to extend overseas tours. "Previously this was only offered to enlisted members," she explained. Penrod said the compensation policy has two principal thrusts: The first of which is to have an overall level of military compensation that is at least equal to the 70th percentile of the pay of civilians with comparable levels of education. The other is to target special and incentive pays and bonuses to address retention problems that are specific to various occupations and recruitment problems. In addition, beginning in 2004, the new compensation package will begin phasing in percentage increases each year of amount offset under current law for military retirees with a VA disability of 50% or more and eligible to receive both military retirement and Veterans Affairs disability pay. Currently a veteran's retirement pay is reduced by a percentage of the disability pay received from VA. Penrod said that beginning next year, veterans will receive an increased portion of the "off-set" to their retirement pay. "And by 2014, the member will have the full concurrent receipt," she said. Another pay benefit for veterans in 2004 will be in combat related special compensation programs for retirees whose disability is directly related to combat or through training for combat. She said now all retirees will be eligible for these payments which essentially provide the equivalent of full concurrent receipt. The retire must have had 20 years of service to qualify. Penrod said the Defense Department is targeting pay raises for its noncommissioned officers to "recognize the contributions" that noncommissioned officers and career- enlisted force bring to the military. In summing up the new compensation package, she said that DoD is sending the message that it remains committed to the preservation of a compensation and benefit structure that will provide members with a suitable and secure standard of living and that will sustain a trained, experienced, and ready force in the future. Reader CommentsAdd your commentYou must be logged in to leave comments.  Contracting: A Sure Bet For Veterans July 10, 2009 If you are interested in working in contracting once you return to civilian life, the Federal Contractor Program can help you get a jump on your career. Use Your Military Training to Become an Operations Manager July 10, 2009 You can translate your supply chain know-how into a successful civilian career as an Operations Manager. All you need is a degree. Build a Career in Engineering July 10, 2009 Take your engineering skills to the next level with a bachelor's degree. It can help prepare you for a civilian job as an engineering manager. >> MILITARY NEWS ARCHIVE |
|
|
| - VA home loans: get today's low rates! |
| - Build a solid future with a degree from AIU Online. |
| - Need your DD214? Certificate of Eligibility? |
| - Military Loans for Veterans and Active Duty |
|
Military Loans |
Military Connections |
Link to Us |
Privacy Policy |
Terms & Conditions |
FAQs |
Military Advertising |
Contact
Free People Search | Military Reunions | Site Map | Military News
Free People Search | Military Reunions | Site Map | Military News
© Copyright 2010 MilitaryConnections.com.
wowhref="http://www.live4game.com">warcrafthref="http://www.live4game.com">wowhref="http://www.live4game.com">wowhref="http://www.live4game.com">wow
power leveling your network to
provide more comprehensive as the
best information and upgrading of
gold coin information,including
power level services is the most
professional, best
leveling service providers upgrade .
Dailian professional for you, let you
experience the most rapid escalation of
the most effective services.
gold
target="_blank">Nike,Jordan,Air force 1href="http://www.sneakersupplier.com"
sneaker - We supply brand shoes (air
max, jordan,nike shox,adidas, af1, bape,
dunk, iceream, puma, timberland, etc),
bags, jeans. website:
target="_blank">http://www.sneakersuppli
er.com
dog
training
[url=http://www.tangjewelry.com]wholesal
e jewelry[/url]