The version of the National Defense Authorization that passed the House Armed Services Committee late last week includes funding boosts for the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative, as On Base reported.
Based on media reports, ADC analysis and committee documents, the bill also:
- Raises service member pay by 5 to 7%
- Removes the basic housing allowance stipend from basic needs allowance calculations
- Authorizes the Pentagon to offer gas discounts at on-base exchanges
- Increases the active duty force by 40,100, including 15,000 soldiers, 12,000 sailors, 8,900 airmen, 1,400 Marines and 2,800 guardians
- Requires a full reporting on the cost of the Iran war
- Officially changes the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War
- Reverts several base names to the non-Confederate-linked names recommended by an independent naming commission
The House is expected to consider the bill in July.
The Senate Armed Services Committee begins marking up its version of the NDAA in a closed session this afternoon and is scheduled to continue working on it tomorrow morning.
National Guard photo by Christian Brown
