5 changes for troops in 2016
From base pay to sexual assault prevention, these are five changes troops can expect in 2016
by Rachel Engel
December 28, 2015
By Rachel Engel
M1 Staff
A new year comes with big changes for military personnel and their families. From tweaks to the way retirement pay is calculated to pay changes and housing allowances, here are five of the most important differences between 2015 and 2016 for service members.
1. Military pay raise
Troop across the board will receive a 1.3 percent pay raise that will take effect on January 1. This is only a slight bump from the flat 1 percent raise given last year, and the subject of much debate and contention during negotiations for the new defense bill for 2016. The average E-4 with four years of military service will see an increase of $31 a month. To access the 2016 pay rate chart, click here.
2. Basic Allowance for Housing
Yet another hot subject for the military community, Congress continued the trend of lowering the amount of housing allowance given to military member so that it only covers 98 percent of the average housing cost in the local area, instead of the full 100%. Even so, many areas will receive increases to the allotted amount as the cost of housing and house prices went up over the last year. To access the BAH rates that will take effect on January 1, click here.
3. Sexual assault response and prevention
Under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016, there will now be more provisions to protect service members as well as Department of Defense civilians from sexual assault or retaliation for seeking assistance. Specifically, Congress made a point to find ways to prevent sexual assault and retaliation of male victims. Additionally, all records of sexual assault will be kept 50 years after the filing date, as well as the services provided by the Special Victims' Counsel, which assists victims through counseling, expanded under the bill.
4. Firearm law change
Beginning with 2016, the new defense bill authorizes commanders of military installations, recruitment centers and other military facilities to allow military personnel previously restricted from carrying firearms to do so in military uniform. This is a welcome change by many service members after a string of domestic terrorism acts left the country reeling and wondering why service members were unarmed during those situations.
5. Military dog retirement and adoption
Before the current defense bill had been signed by the president, military working dogs that retired overseas were unable to fly back to the U.S. aboard military aircraft, stranding them in foreign countries. Now, military dogs retired overseas are to be brought back to the U.S., and their handlers will have the first opportunity to adopt them.
These are five of the biggest changes troops will see in the upcoming year, but certainly not the only ones. With changes in how retirement pay is calculated and numerous uniform changes, the military has a lot up its sleeve over the next few years.
https://www.military1.com/military-lifestyle/article/1569756014-5-changes-for-troops-in-2016
