2010 DoD Budget Calls for 2.9-Percent Pay Raise

Included in the $533.7 billion defense budget for 2010 President Obama submitted to Congress is a 2.9-percent pay raise for military members, a four-percent increase over 2009. The raise would take effect Jan. 1, 2010. The budget proposal also includes supplemental appropriations of $75.5 billion for 2009 and $130 billion for 2010 to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In another divergence from recent past budgets, Obama promises that this budget will divulge the full costs of overseas military operations, as well as base defense costs. The DoD and VA budgets together also carry a provision that would address concerns of disabled retirees who see their retired pay reduced dollar-for-dollar by the amount of tax-free VA disability compensation they receive. Severely disabled retirees would be allowed so-called concurrent receipt of both.