The House Armed Services Committee Quality of Life Panel released a report including more than 30 recommendations to improve quality of life for service members and military families.
Among the recommendations in the report are:
- a 15% basic pay increase for junior enlisted service members
- increased housing allowances
- public-private partnerships to build new and renovate existing unaccompanied housing
- expanded access to specialty health care providers
- permanent authorization of the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot
The panel, led by Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.), also released a series of one-pagers with highlights of its findings and recommendations.
Military Times reported that implementing the recommendations would cost tens of billions of dollars in the coming years.
Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) said the committee will include the report recommendations in the upcoming defense authorization bill.
“The Quality of Life Panel’s recommendations will serve as the foundation of the FY25 NDAA as we aim to make strides in improving the quality of life for servicemembers and their families,” Rogers said, according to a press release. “This is, without a doubt, the most important job that Congress has.”
Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Kevin Hynes
