Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army Gen. Mark A. Milley testify before the House Appropriations Committee-Defense on the Fiscal 2024 Department of Defense Budget in the Rayburn House Office Building, March 23, 2023, in Washington D.C. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Kubitza)
By: FEDweek StaffAs they outlined the stark scenario facing the nation to lawmakers, the armed forces’ top civilian and military leaders emphasized that taking care of the men and women in uniform and their families is as essential as any strategic plan or weapons system.
“I’m enormously proud of the brave men and women who wear the cloth of our nation,” Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III told members of the House Armed Services Committee during a March 29 hearing to discuss the Biden administration’s proposed $842 billion defense-spending bill for 2024.
“We owe it to them and do their families to take the best possible care of them,” Austin said. During his tenure, Austin added, commissary and childcare costs have been made more affordable. The 2024 bill would provide the largest raise in basic pay in decades, he added.
The Defense Department also is hiring more mental-health professionals to help reduce suicide rates and incidents of sexual assault, he added.
Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, pointed out that 60 percent of the active force is ready to deploy anywhere in less than 30 days. Preparation for future contingencies and current needs must both be met at the same time – now – he told the panel.
“The common thread critical to all this is our people,” Milley said. “We must continue to invest in training, education and talent management for the future operating environment.”
Milley also urged the committee to approve the 5.2-percent raise in basic pay and requests for health care and childcare as they consider the budget request.
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