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LEGISLATIVE AND BENEFIT UPDATES
Credit: Architect of the Capitol Legislative and Benefit Updates
Winter Mariner 2021
By Michael P. Hughes, OSC, USNR (ret.)
The current most press- n A 2.7 % pay raise for military members and Defense
ing legislative issues are civilians
the FY 2022 National
Defense Authorization Act n Requires parity in special pay and incentive pay for
(NDAA) and the Defense members of the reserve and active components
Appropriations bills. The
NDAA is mainly under the n Freezes Selective Reserve manning levels for Navy
jurisdiction of the House Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard
and Senate Armed Services Committees and determines Reserve at FY 2021 levels. Full Time Support (FTS)
the requirements for defense and military for the fiscal manning for Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve
year, recommends funding levels for defense and estab- and National Guard and Air National Guard mili-
lishes policy for how funds will be spent. The Defense tary technicians are also limited to FY 2021 levels
Appropriations provides the funds for the fiscal year. The
government, including Defense, is currently operating on n Amends the Selective Service Act to require registra-
a Continuing Resolution (CR) for the FY 2022 which tion of women for Selective Service
began October 1, 2021 until December 3, 2021. A CR
limits appropriations, for the most part, to the previous n Establishes a Basic Needs Allowance to ensure ser-
fiscal year's funding levels. vice members can meet basic needs of their families
As of this writing, the House has passed their version of the n Creates bereavement leave for up to 2 weeks for mili-
FY 2022 NDAA, HR 4350. The Senate Armed Services tary members for the death of a spouse or child
Committee has reported out its version of the of the FY
2022 NDAA, S.2792, which has yet to be debated and n Increases parental leave for all service members to 12
passed by the full Senate. When the Senate passes their weeks for the birth, adoption or foster care place-
version of the NDAA there is typically a Joint Conference ment of a child.
Committee formed to iron out any differences between
the House and Senate versions. The revised version is then There are several areas not addressed in either bill that
voted on by both bodies and if passed will be forwarded NERA and our partners of The Military Coalition for
to the President for signature. which we will continue to push, such as the increased sur-
vivor benefits and elimination of the concurrent receipt
Following is a list of a few points of interest that are cur- offset of retired pay of VA disability compensation.
rently included in both the House and Senate versions
of the FY 2022 NDAA. Keep in mind that the Senate As always, NERA continues to follow and represent our
version could change through floor amendments before it members with Congress, Department of Defense and
is approved by the full Senate. Veterans Affairs to protect and promote the benefits and
compensation earned by our members.
If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact me
by email at [email protected] or my cell at 443-812-9591.
6 The Mariner • 2021 Winter Edition • Volume 64 • Issue 3
