House authorizers do not believe the Pentagon or the nation, for that matter, has the right attitude about sustaining military readiness. Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, says in a statement on the 2008 defense budget bill, “In spite of being a nation at war, the United States has not fully mobilized to respond to the needs of our military to meet the current mission and to maintain US military readiness.” His committee proposes establishing a Defense Readiness Production Board and Defense Production Industry Advisory Council. He believes this will “elevate the discussion” within DOD to address equipment shortfalls. The defense board would comprise 16 government civilian and military officials, and the industry council would have 12 members of American industry. And, the committee would provide DOD with a $1 billion kitty to fulfill “pressing needs.”
Top Lawmakers Want 15 Percent Pay Raise for Enlisted Troops
April 19, 2024
A new law introduced by Congress would raise the pay rate 15 percent for junior enlisted troops and seek improvements on a range of quality of life issues, such as pay and compensation, child care, housing, health care access, and military spouse employment.