Skip to main content
Image
Photo of the U.S. Capitol dome

Wilson Announces Important Gains for Military Personnel

May 8, 2003

South Carolina Troops Welcomed Home with Pay Raise and Other Benefits

Today, Rep. Wilson announced our returning troops will be welcomed home with a pay raise and other quality of life initiatives. The provisions are contained in H.R. 1588, the Fiscal Year 2004 Defense Authorization Act, which the House Armed Services Committee is currently considering. This week, a subcommittee approved measures increasing pay for all military personnel as well as retention and recruitment incentives, and strengthened programs for reserve personnel."As many of our Beaufort Marines return today, we are reminded of their valor and dedication," said Rep. Wilson, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. "We owe them and their families our deep gratitude. I'm happy to report our troops will receive another pay raise, along with other important benefits."Specific wage recommendations approved this week are:Military Pay Raise: An increase in basic pay for members of the armed forces averaging 4.1 percent. Targeted increases for mid-grade and senior noncommissioned officers and select warrant officers were also approved. This is the fifth consecutive year that the Committee has recommended a pay raise larger than the level of private sector pay raises.Additional Wartime Pay: Many troops fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq will be eligible to receive additional imminent danger and family separation pay.The legislation also contains provisions to improve the quality of life for reservists, retirees and their families. One example is military commissaries. Under current law members of the selected reserve have limited access to commissaries. H.R. 1588 will require the Department of Defense to modify this policy and grant reservists the same privileges as active duty personnel and their dependents. Measures approved today will also protect commissary benefits by blocking attempts to eliminate the system."Reservists are full partners in the our armed forces and the war on terrorism, while many leave higher paying civilian jobs to protect our freedom. Their families deserve the same unlimited access to lower priced groceries and necessities," said Rep. Wilson.H.R. 1588 also includes other measures of interest to reservists:· Providing the same level of hazardous duty pay as that of active duty members · Providing an additional subsistence allowance for those who serve in high cost and unique duty locations· Authorization to pay mobilized reservists per diem for housing when in leave status· Eligibility for dependents of mobilized reservists to attend Department of Defense schools overseas on a space available, tuition free basis.The House Armed Services Committee is expected to approve H.R. 1588 on Tuesday, May 13th, 2003. It is scheduled to be voted on and approved by the full House of Representatives during the week of May 19th. ###