What will active duty cost of living increase look like for FY 2017, and what is the discussion on PTSD and TBI?

LCpl Timothy McCain — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 15:45:44 -0400

Higher Pay Raise Proposed: Draft legislation released this week by the House Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee calls for a 2.1 percent military pay raise in 2017––a half percent higher than what the Administration requested. If enacted, it would be the largest percentage increase since 2010 (which was then 3.4 percent). Military pay increases are supposed to match increases in private sector wages, as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI), but the Administration can request more or less than the ECI, with Congress having final approval. Congress erased a double-digit pay gap of the 1990s by directing military pay raises from 2000-2006 to be a half percent above private sector wage increases, and raises from 2007 forward to match the ECI, although more could be authorized. The 1.7 percent increase in FY2013 was the last time military pay matched the ECI. The draft legislation is just a first step in a very long process before the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act is signed into law.
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee Hearing on PTSD, TBI: The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel held a hearing on Wednesday regarding the research, diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and TBI. During the hearing concerns for MST, suicide and other comorbidities of psychological health were also discussed. Senator Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) raised gender-specific questions asking, “…I’d like to know if PTSD presents itself differently in male survivors versus female survivors and how treatment for PTSD meets the unique needs of male survivors of sexual assault.” Doctors from VA agreed research is heading in the right direction for PTSD and TBI, but with nearly 25 percent of veterans transitioning from DOD to VA receiving mental health care during their last year of service, there is still much work that needs to be done. In the future VA foresees research innovations for diagnosis and treatment progressing with more neuroimaging and the finding of biomarkers. To read witness testimony or view the hearing, click here: http://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings/16-04-20-current-state-of-research-diagnosis-and-treatment-for-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-traumatic-brain-injury. For more information on PTSD/TBI research, visit: http://www.dcoe.mil/About_DCoE.aspx.

404 | United States Commitee on Armed Services

United States Committee on Armed Services

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 23 at 2016 4:42 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 16:42:18 -0400

The VA still has its fingers up its asses promising something better.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2016 6:14 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 18:14:29 -0400

if your a vet with ptsd you aint gettin sh(t, or any other vet

Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Apr 24 at 2016 1:19 PM

PFC Stephen Eric Serati — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 13:19:20 -0400

Our Women and Men deserve it,I think Yous should get at least a 5% raise this year and a 5% next year,and put more money towards Solidier Active and Veterans Services.I also think that before leaving the service the military should help in job placement for out going soldiers.Our military budget is more than adequate to handle this and more.How would I pay for it.Phase out unuseful equipment all branches.What is unuseful?Any equipment from the first Gulf War.Why that time?Because the technology has been compromised.Our enemies are using it.We need cutting edge technologies and innovations.Were still using tools of the past,our military needs to evolve.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2016 9:45 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 09:45:39 -0400

the POTUS has vetoed this bill already