Deployed Service Members Stand Fast waiting for increase in Family Sep Pay

  Last year, embedded within the extensive annual defense policy bill was a provision aimed at easing the challenges faced by military families during long exercises and deployments. This measure involved an increase in the "Family Separation Allowance" (FSA) for service members in Wisconsin and around the world.  An additional monthly payment of $250 would be provided to service members to offset extra expenses incurred during separations from their dependents lasting more than 30 days. Under the National Defense  Authorization Act (NDAA) signed into law in December, the Pentagon gained the authority to raise the FSA to a maximum of $400. Despite this legislative approval, the Pentagon has yet to implement the enhanced payment, and the reasons behind this delay remain unclear. According to an internal Army newsletter, the change in the NDAA was deemed "discretionary," with the Pentagon citing unspecified Defense Department guidance as the reason for not implementing the increase. When contacted by Military.com, a defense official stated that no decision had been made to alter the monthly amount of the Family Separation Allowance at the present time. The official acknowledged that Congress had granted the Pentagon flexibility to adjust payment levels based on departmental needs and conditions. However, no specific details were provided regarding the factors impeding the increase. Additionally, there was no timeline offered for the implementation of the raise, with reference made to an ongoing military compensation review set to issue a final report by the end of 2024. While the NDAA mand ated a Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation, which includes an examination of the FSA, defense officials have consistently deferred decisions on service members' pay pending the completion of this review. The Biden administration, for instance, opposed altering the pay chart for junior enlisted service members, asserting that such changes would be premature before the review's completion. The NDAA underwent revisions from its original House-passed version, which mandated a fixed increase of the FSA to $400. The compromise bill allowed for a range between $250 and $400, without providing an explanation for this modification. Representative Tony Gonzales, the original sponsor of the NDAA provision, expressed a commitment to pushing the Pentagon to imp lement the stipend increase. Gonzales emphasized the importance of improving the quality of life for military families, highlighting their significant daily sacrifices. The delay in addressing what may seem like a minor aspect of service member compensation comes at a critical time for the Defense Department. Various branches have faced challenges meeting recruiting goals, prompting efforts to attract recruits through substantial bonuses. The Navy, for example, offered recruits up to $115,000 in 2022 to address competition with the private sector for job benefits and perks, recognizing the need to compete for top talent in a tight labor market. Follow our blog to get updates on the Family Seperation Pay, and other important military news.     John Reuter - USAF Veteran    John Reuter  Integrity Homes  Broker/Owner 608-669-4226 john@integrityhomewi.com     Real Broker, LLC  

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