East Central Alabama News

Washington, D.C. – Blue Star Families, Military Family Advisory Network, Military Officers Association of America, and National Military Family Association announced their support for H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). The bill passed out of the House Armed Services Committee on May 22 with bipartisan support.

"We applaud the Committee for bolstering our national security by taking this huge step to improve the lives of military families," Tom Porter, Vice President of Blue Star Families, said. "Our annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey tells us that only 32% of military families now recommend military service, down from 55% in 2016. By making these critical improvements, we take a big step toward retaining those currently serving and attracting the next generation of warfighters."

“Our data consistently show that too many families are struggling to make ends meet,” Shannon Razsadin, CEO of Military Family Advisory Network, said. “For our all-volunteer force to stand ready, today and in the future, we must ensure that family well-being and military service can coexist at every rank and phase of the military life cycle. This committee’s Quality of Life Panel has taken a head-on look at significant issues in our community, and the bipartisan support in this year’s NDAA sends a clear signal that the well-being of those who serve and their families isn’t optional; it is essential.”

“It is encouraging to see bipartisan support as the NDAA moves forward with vital quality-of-life improvements for our military members and their families,” MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret.) said. “A heartfelt thank you to the HASC members and staffers who have moved this legislation to this point, and to our fellow advocacy groups who have worked tirelessly alongside MOAA on behalf of the communities we serve. I urge House and Senate leaders to join in this commitment and pass the NDAA with these vital quality-of-life measures included.”

“We are pleased that the Quality of Life Panel recommendations were included in the HASC’s markup of the FY25 NDAA with overwhelming bipartisan support," Besa Pinchotti, CEO of National Military Family Association said. "The 4.5% pay raise for all service members plus an additional targeted 15% increase for junior enlisted E1-E4 and restoration of BAH to 100% will go a long way to help service members and their families struggling to make ends meet.”