The joint House and Senate conference committee for the fiscal
2006 National Defense Authorization Act has finally reported out
(see succeeding items). Provisions include a 3.1 percent pay raise
for military personnel, a 2009 phase-in of full concurrent receipt
for military retirees rated 100 percent disabled by determination
of individual unemployability, increases in basic allowance for
housing, payment of over 20 types of bonuses and special pays
for active duty and Reserve members, and increases in maximum
amounts of assignment incentive pay and hardship duty pay. Also
included: inter-service transfer bonuses up to $2,500 for
actives and reserves, matching fund contributions up to 5
percent of basic pay for first-term enlistees enrolled in the
Thrift Savings Plan, and a $60 million increase in child and
family services to active duty and Reserve families. Rejected
by the conferees: equity for the Survivor Benefit Plan/Dependents
Indemnity Compensation offset.
