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DoD Quality of Life Initiatives: What’s In It For You?

Wendy Ann Lang

If you’re on active duty, juggling classes, managing a family, or even deployed, you’ve got a lot on your plate. Keeping up with every Department of Defense (DoD) announcement is probably not at the top of your list.

But here’s the thing: these updates can significantly impact your quality of life and your family. That’s why staying informed about the latest changes is so important. Don’t worry, though—we’ve got your back. Let’s break down the recent and anticipated adjustments in military pay, housing allowance, moving support, and more to get you up to speed and maximize these benefits.

Taking Care of Our People 2024

Building on the foundation laid in 2022, the Department of Defense launched 8 initiatives in 2024 to enhance support for service members and their families.

Here are the highlights included in the 2024 memo:

Pay Increase

• • • A proposed 4.5 percent pay raise in the FY 2025 budget aims to keep service members’ pay competitive with inflation and rising cost of living.  Check out the proposed 2025 pay charts.

Extended PCS Lodging Support:

• • • For most service members, the maximum coverage for Temporary Lodging Expenses (TLE) has been increased from 14 to 21 days.
    • For those stationed outside the continental United States (OCONUS), Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) has been expanded to 60 days.

Healthcare Improvements

• • • Starting in March 2025, service members will have access to Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts (HFSA), allowing them to set aside up to $3,200 in pre-tax earnings to cover everyday out-of-pocket healthcare expenses like co-pays, dental care, and vision-related expenses (e.g., contact lenses and glasses). This benefit will also be available to active and reserve component members performing active or reserve duties.

Wi-Fi Enhancements

• • • Recognizing the need for better connectivity, the DoD is rolling out pilot programs to provide free high-speed Wi-Fi in select unaccompanied housing units over the next year. This will help reduce out-of-pocket living costs and improve service members’ ability to perform work-related duties and training while maintaining connectivity with friends and family.

Expanded Military Spouse Employment Support

• • • Access to the My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program, which provides $4,000 in financial assistance for military spouses pursuing education and career development, will be expanded to spouses of service members in grades E-7 to E-9 and W-3 on Active Duty status on October 1, 2024. This initiative recognizes the critical role that military spouses play and aims to help them pursue meaningful careers.

Childcare Access Expansion

• • • The FY 2025 budget includes a proposed $33.5 million increase for childcare services. This funding will support recruiting and retaining childcare workers, improve working conditions, and offer more significant discounts to DoD civilian employees providing direct care. These changes are designed to make it easier for military families to access high-quality childcare.

Support for Remote Installations

• • • The DoD is taking steps to address the unique challenges service members stationed at remote installations face. In 2025, an “On-site Installation Evaluation” process will focus on issues like Wi-Fi access, off-base housing, childcare quality, schools, and healthcare availability. By collecting data and implementing solutions, the DoD aims to improve conditions for service members stationed in more isolated locations.

Uniform Costs for Enlisted Members

• • • To reduce the financial burden on enlisted service members, the DoD conducts a quality audit of standard-issue uniforms. The goal is to improve the wear time of uniforms and ensure that enlisted members receive adequate compensation to replace uniforms as needed.

Taking Care of Our People 2022

The September 13, 2024, memorandum continues Secretary Lloyd Austin’s 2022 “Taking Care of Our People” initiative. This focused on improving the overall well-being of service members and their families by addressing critical issues like compensation, housing, and childcare.

Here’s a recap of some key elements from the 2022 initiative:

Pay Increases and Other Compensation

• • • A 4.6 percent pay raise was enacted on January 1, 2023.
    • The introduction of a Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) for qualifying members to help those who may be struggling to cover essential living expenses.
    • A Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) increase for active-duty members in 28 Military Housing Areas (MHA) where housing costs had surged by more than 20%, effective October 2022.

Support for PCS Moves (effective October 2022)

• • • Temporary Lodging Expenses (TLE) maximum coverage was expanded from 10 to 14 days for members in grades E-1 to E-6, and the Dislocation Allowance (DLA) for grades E-1 to E-6 was automatically increased and applied one month before a Permanent Change of Station (PCS).
    • An increase of up to 60 days for a service member or dependent to occupy temporary lodging immediately before leaving a permanent duty station outside the continental United States.

Childcare Improvements

• • • Investments were made to improve Child Development Program (CDP) facilities and enhance the in-home childcare assistance pilot to help military families find quality childcare services.

Spousal Employment Initiatives

• • • Accelerated development of seven additional occupational interstate compacts to help military spouses with job licensing portability.
    • Expanded remote and telework opportunities within the DoD.
    • A 10 percent increase in the number of partners in the “Military Spouse Employment Partnership” program, providing more employment opportunities for military spouses.

 

Under Secretary Austin, the Department of Defense continues its push to make life a little easier for you and your families. From pay bumps and better housing allowances to new healthcare options and improved Wi-Fi, these changes hope to help you overcome the everyday challenges of military life. Military spouses also will get a leg up with more job and education opportunities. At the same time, families can expect improved access to childcare.

For those stationed at remote locations, the DoD focuses on improving life with better internet access and more reliable in-person healthcare. They are also looking to ease the cost and quality of uniforms so you don’t break the bank on the gear you need.