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US lawmakers on a panel tasked with investigating the quality of life for US service members have released a report that includes many recommendations to enhance support for military personnel and their families.
The Quality of Life Panel from the House Armed Services Committee calls for a 15 percent pay increase for junior enlisted members, higher housing allowances, and a revised cost of living calculation. The panel identified multiple areas for improvement based on feedback and observations, including substandard conditions in military housing such as gas leaks and unsafe drinking water. Additionally, the report suggests eliminating childcare fees for the first child of service members and removing barriers to accessing essential medical services like physical therapy and nutrition.
Panel Chairman Don Bacon (R-NE) stressed the importance of the volunteer force in maintaining national security, stating, “The all volunteer force is the foundation of America’s military strength. For this reason, military quality of life is a central national security issue. And we can no longer ignore the clear warning signs that — more or less — we don’t protect and preserve the all volunteer force.”
Ranking Member Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) highlighted the report’s potential to reduce wait times at childcare centers and to assist military spouses who face employment challenges due to frequent relocations. She said, “Our military, all volunteer military, is the strongest military in the world — is deserving of a good wage, safe housing, food options that men and women actually want to eat and so on and so on and so on.”
Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) said he hoped to integrate these recommendations into the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. He said, “I hope with this taskforce and what we’re going to do with it, we’re showing those families we care, because the way we’ve been treating them so far is not indicative of caring enough.”
