2011 Defense Budget - The Process Begins

Average 4.2% Increase in 2011 BAH

February 1st, 2010

President Obama’s 2011 budget request for Department of Defense, released officially today, requests an average housing allowance increase of 4.2 percent, as well as a variety of monthly special skill-based payments, enlistment and reenlistment bonuses, and other benefits.

Family support programs grow over 3% – some of the main increases are $87 million, to expand availability for affordable, high-quality child care services at over 800 child development centers both in the United States and overseas – $37 million, for expanded counseling and assistance services, from financial counseling to transition and relocation assistance, to help families meet the challenges brought on by repeated deployments and family separations – $12 million, for enhanced career and educational opportunities for military spouses through tuition assistance and Federal internship programs.

The budget also includes a 1.4% basic pay raise that is supposed to keep military pay in line with those in the private sector. That depends on who’s numbers you believe… Congressman Wilson put forth a 2011 1.9% pay raise proposal (H.R. 4427) on Jan. 13, 2010 – like years past, the half percent increase is already being co-sponsored by a number of other congressman and should gain even more traction as the year progresses.

Budget information retrieved from the published fact sheet and the FY 2011 President’s Budget Appendix (PDF)

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