Proposal To End Senate Standoff Over Military Promotions And Abortion Policy Goes Nowhere
Hopes were dashed Monday for an imminent end to a Senate standoff that has delayed the promotions of more than 200 military officers and could delay the confirmation of President Joe Biden’s pick for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
New Online VA Travel Reimbursement Program Is Failing Veterans, Inspector General Finds
A new system designed to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs reimburses veterans for appointment-related travel quickly and properly is not living up to expectations, frustrating veterans and causing headaches for travel staff.
IMPORTANT TO REITERATE: Biggest Troop Pay Raise In 2 Decades On Track In House Defense Bill
By: Rebecca Kheel | Military.com
Service members would get a 5.2% pay raise next year under the House Armed Services Committee's draft of the annual defense policy bill, the committee confirmed Monday. Including the raise in the committee's version of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, puts troops on track to receive their highest pay raise in more than two decades.
The 5.2% pay bump matches what the Biden administration proposed in its fiscal 2024 budget request, which in turn matched a federal formula that ties annual military raises to growth in private-sector wages. While the NDAA has months to go and multiple steps before it becomes law, lawmakers traditionally follow or exceed the administration's requested pay raise for troops.
A 5.2% raise in basic pay would mean anywhere from about $1,100 more per year for the most junior service members to more than $10,000 more per year for senior officers. The raise would be the highest since service members got a 6.9% increase in 2002. It would also come on the heels of troops this year getting their highest pay bump in a decade with a 4.6% raise.
The pay raise would be on top of other efforts included in this year's NDAA meant to help service members' finances. Lawmakers have expressed concern that compensation in the military, particularly for junior enlisted personnel, is not keeping pace with the economy and could be contributing to recruiting struggles.
Other proposals in the House NDAA to better compensate troops include a bonus for E-6s and below if they're hurt by the economy, more flexibility to adjust the Basic Allowance for Housing to respond to market conditions, and excluding the housing allowance from income calculations for a stipend to help food insecure troops.
House Armed Services subcommittees are scheduled to debate their portions of the NDAA on Tuesday and Wednesday. The full committee will consider the bill on June 21.
Below are the campaigns that are currently located on our Action Center. Please take no more than 5-10 minutes to scan through each of the campaigns and click on the custom links provided below.
The Military Spouse Hiring Act would encourage companies to employ military spouses, who frequently face disproportionate impediments in the job market, by extending the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include them.
Intends to help military spouses find better work opportunities.
Support the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act!
Authorizes veterans with a service-connected disability of less than 50% to concurrently receive both retired pay and disability compensation.
Makes qualified disability retirees with less than 20 years of retirement-creditable service eligible for concurrent receipt, subject to specified reductions in retired pay.
Qualify approximately 42,000 military retirees with combat-related injuries to concurrently receive both military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation.
Provide total offset relief to veterans who suffered combat injuries or illnesses who were medically retired with less than twenty years of service.
Allowsthe receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability.
Extends full concurrent receipt eligibility to individuals who were retired or separated after at least 20 years of military service due to a service-connected disability.
Support the Military Family Nutrition Access Act of 2023!
The Military Family Nutrition Access Act was created to aid military families with active duty members who are facing food insecurity.
By eliminating Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from the income calculations used to establish eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the bipartisan bill will combat food insecurity.
Military personnel risk their life to protect our nation; they shouldn't have to worry about providing for their families.
The Not Just a Number Act would oblige the VA to look into how veterans use their benefits in their yearly report on suicide prevention in order to assess the connection between VA benefits and suicide outcomes.
In its fight against veteran suicides, the VA evaluates which VA benefits have the best impact on preventing suicide and requires the Department to submit recommendations for an increase in such benefits.
If you have any questions, please reach out to AFSA's Military and Government Relations team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.
AFSA Professional Education, Personal Development Symposium Registration isLIVE!!!
THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention Registration is LIVE!!! This year’s Summit/AFSA International Convention will convene Friday, August 4, through Wednesday, August 9,2023,(Departures: Thursday, August 10, 2023) in Dallas, Texas, at the Hilton Anatole Resort, 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas. For more details, please click on the link below:
THEME:The Theme for THE SUMMIT 23/AFSA International Convention is“Back to Basics and Beyond.”
NOTE:Main arrival and registration is on Friday, August 4, 2023.
THEME PARTY/ICE BREAKER:THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention Theme Party/Ice Breaker is on Saturday, August 5, 2023.The Theme for the Theme Party/Ice Breaker is “Super Heroes & Sheroes.” The Dress Code for the Theme Party/Ice Breaker is:
Dust off your Cape!
WELCOMING CEREMONY: The Welcoming Ceremony is on Saturday, August 5, 2023. The Dress Code for the Welcoming Ceremony is:
Business Casual, Military Personnel on Funded TDY orders: OCPs.
AFSA PRESIDENT’S DINNER & AWARDS CEREMONY. The AFSA President’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony is on Sunday, August 6, 2023. The Dress Code for the President’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony is:
AFSA Members: Gentlemen: Tuxedo or Dark Suit, Ladies: Dress evening wear (long or short);
Military Personnel on Funded TDY Orders: Mess Dress or Semi-Formal Uniform;
Top Performer Club members (Formerly TwinFLIER, SKYHIGHER and/or HighFLIER Club members): Wear the AFSA blue blazer. If they are active-duty military members, they may wear the AFSA blue blazer, but are highly encouraged to wear their service dress uniform.
AIR & SPACE HONORS BANQUET AND CMSAF AWARDS CEREMONY. The Air & Space Honors Banquet and CMSAF Awards Ceremony is on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. The Dress Code for the Air & Space Honors Banquet and CMSAF Awards Ceremony is:
Gentlemen: Tuxedo or Dark Suit,
Ladies: Dress evening wear (long or short);
Military Personnel on Funded TDY Orders: Mess Dress or Semi-Formal Uniform
THE SUMMIT23/AFSA International Convention
REGISTRATION FEE: The registration fees are as follows:
AFSA International Convention
Complete Early Registration (1 April - 31 May)$275.00
Use Promo Code: AFSAEarly to save. Expires April 30, 2023
Complete Registration (1 June - 31 July)$300.00
Complete Late Registration (1 August - 4 August) $325.00
AFSA International Convention Plus PEDs and Air & Space Honor’s Banquet
Complete Early Registration (1 April - 31 May)$325.00
Use Promo Code: AFSAEarly to save. Expires April 30, 2023
Complete Registration (1 June - 31 July)$350.00
Complete Late Registration (1 August - 4 August) $375.00
On Monday, August 7-9, there will be a full day of Professional Development. All Professional Development Forums are open to all military members on Active Duty and DoD civilian personal at no cost.
BEAUTIFUL EVENT LOCATION- Book your rooms now!The Summit 23/AFSA International Conventionis held at the Hilton Anatole, 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Dallas, Texas where you'll find an entertainment complex designed to relax and delight you and your family. We've partnered with the Hilton Anatole to offer special AFSA/SUMMIT ROOM RATES at $154+ tax a night.
NOTE: Please identify that you are with the Air Force Sergeants Association group.
(This special rate includes the outdoor Jade Water Pool Complex with slides and a lazy river, the Verandah Fitness Club & V-Spa, dining options, and much more.)
NOTE:The last date to make hotel reservations at the AFSA contracted room rate is July 14, 2023.
Have You Read The Latest AFSA Magazine?
This edition features Port Mortuary and America’s Missing Heroes, Living with Bipolar Disorder in the Military, Fly-By Wire Defense and AFSA’s American Award Recipient – Don Ward. Read, download, print and share: https://www.hqafsa.org/fallmagazine.html
Greetings AFSA Division and Chapter Leadership,
We are pleased to share the AFSA Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay procedures and marketing materials to help share the process with our members, your membership and potential new recruits.
The Set-It-Forever/Auto Pay program creates an opportunity to JOIN AFSA or RENEW a membership by making a $36 once-a-year/every-year auto payment, or a $4-each-month/every- month auto payment. The $36 once-a-year option is set at $36, and the $4-a-month option includes a bank processing fee of $1 each month.
Review the two ways to enroll, the benefits to using the auto-pay option, and the marketing materials to help share the details of this program and ensure its success.
For questions, please contact AFSAHQ Member & Field team at 800-638-0594 x 288.
Please Update Your Contact Information Today!
Dear Air Force Sergeants Association Member,
In order for the AFSA to effectively communicate with our members, it is essential to ensure we have your current and / or valid e-mail address. We are in the process of updating our records and need your help! Please take a moment to ensure that we have your most current mail and email address (no .mil's); and accurate membership listing information.
We've made it easy, as you can update your information in either one of three ways:
Call Member & Field Relations team directly at 800-638-0594 x 288 (Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST)
Email to: msvcs@hqafsa.org
Visit www.hqafsa.org and select the UPDATE button on the right
We thank you in advance for your support and prompt updates.
In sum, E-6s and lower would receive hefty base pay hikes under a House panel's proposed yearly Pentagon spending plan, and legislators want to set aside $800 million to restructure the military's pay scale for those service members.The bill created by the House Appropriations Committee would also provide all service personnel a 5.2% pay boost on top of the revised pay scale. That implies that the junior enlisted personnel would receive pay raises that were even greater than the pay chart's 30% hikes.
According to the proposed new pay structure, the monthly base salary would be:
$2,600.60 for an E-1 with at least four months of service
$2,799.20 for an E-2
$2,900.90 to $3,050.60 for an E-3, depending on years of service
$3,010.50 to $3,260.30 for an E-4, depending on years of service
$3,100.30 to $3,250.20 for an E-5, depending on years of service
$3,210 for an E-6 with less than two years of service
In addition, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, has been preventing the nominees in order to put pressure on the Defense Department to scrap a rule that pays service members who must go outside the country for abortions and other reproductive healthcare. One of the states where abortion is now prohibited is Alabama.
Some senators believed that the greatest chance of convincing Tuberville to remove those holds would be to propose holding a Senate discussion on the Pentagon's abortion rules as part of the yearly defense bill deliberations, but Tuberville's office announced on Monday that he rejected the idea.
And lastly, to replace a long-standing system accessible through stand-alone kiosks at VA medical facilities or by submitting paper claims, the Veterans Health Administration launched its Beneficiary Travel Self Service System, a web-based travel reimbursement program, in November 2020.
Making it simpler for veterans to submit travel claims and lowering the amount the VA incorrectly paid out for claims were the two objectives of the new program, known as BTSSS. From fiscal year 2013 to fiscal year 2021, incorrect payments rose from $70 million to $123 million.
And that's the way it is for Thursday, June 15, 2023.
Stay tuned for our next M&G-B, where we will continue to keep you in the loop on all things pertinent to the coronavirus, veterans, active-duty members, guards and reservists, and military family members. Stay happy, and stay healthy!
