The Department of Defense is considering a pay raise for military members that's lower than normal.The DOD's current proposal would raise military pay by one percent sometime this year, but Bob Murdoch, San Antonio Director of Military Affairs, says that is lower than the 1.7 percent raise they usually see.
"On the other side of the coin, obviously Military personnel expenses to include medical benefits and military pay accounts for some of the highest expenditures in the department, so obviously they (the DOD) feel compelled to look at those," said Murdoch.
Murdoch said the slight decrease in the average raise most likely wont significantly affect military family's living budgets, so long as the pay percentage is increased the next time a raise is issued.
"I think in general current pay rates for our military members are adequate," said Murdoch. "I would just hope that at the minimum pay raises keep up with inflation."
The pay raise proposal comes as Congress waits on a budget proposal from President Barack Obama.
"I think it is important that, at least, the department sends a positive signal to the families and members (of the military) that we at least want to keep up with inflation and continue to provide you with that protection," said Murdoch.
Murdoch said it is likely that Congress will consider the possibility of either raising this percentage or decreasing it even further, depending on the allocated amount determined to the DOD in the National Budget.
By: Marissa A. Wagner
Thursday, February 14, 2013
6:00 p.m.
