Service members would receive a one-percent increase in basic pay and a 3.9-percent increase in their basic allowance for housing (BAH), under the proposed $526.6 billion defense spending bill for 2014. The basic allowance for subsistence (BAS) would rise 3.4 percent. The hikes would take effect Jan. 1, 2014. In total, slightly more than $170 billion would cover pay and benefits. Another $180 billion would cover operating costs including civilian pay, while another $176.3 billion would address acquisitions, research, development, testing, and evaluation.
