The $717 billion National Defense Authorization Act includes a 2.6 pay increase for military personnel, the largest raise in almost a decade.
- President Trump signed the measure Monday. Military.com estimates the pay raise will mean about $670 more annually for junior enlisted troops and about $1,300 more for senior enlisted and junior officers. You can see the impact of the pay raise here.
- “We believe our warfighters deserve the tools, the equipment, and resources that they have earned with their blood, sweat, and tears,” Trump said.
- The raise is the largest pay increase for uniformed personnel in nine years. Uniformed personnel received a 2.4 percent pay raise in fiscal 2018. In 2017, the raise was 2.1 percent but hovered around the 1 percent rangefrom 2011 to 2016. Military personnel received a 3.4 percent pay increase in 2010.
- The pay increase is effective Oct. 1.
Congress approved the raise in July as part of a massive spending bill that added to troop numbers while boosting money for equipment and weapons. The bill increases U.S. military end strength by 25,900 soldiers, 24,100 in the active duty military and 1,800 in Reserves.
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