New NDAA Includes Military Pay Increases, No F-22 Disposals, and Beard Permissions?
Take a Gander at Aviation's Latest Twist!
Get ready, Air Force troops! The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is cooking up some intriguing changes, as the Senate and House lawmakers have conjured a 1,800-page monster, jam-packed with defense policy decisions for the Pentagon.
The House has already greeted this bill with open arms, and the Senate Armed Services Committee has dwelt on it since June, each with their unique challenges for the Air Force and Space Force. However, this colossal NDAA is like a painting coming to life, as it'll soon be given a thumbs-up in the next few weeks, flaunting minimal adjustments.
Here's a sneak peek into some of the most likely consequences on the Department of the Air Force.
Time for a Raise and Personnel Chatter
The largest impact you'll feel in your wallet will be on your paychecks. The NDAA overlooks a 4.5 percent overall pay raise for you, effective from January 1, and an additional 10 percent boost for enlisted ranks up to E-4, kicking off from April 1. That whopping 14.5 percent total raise may not seem as significant as House lawmakers' recommended 19.5 percent, but it's still a considerable chunk of change. This would set you back approximately $18 billion over five years.
The White House balked at this targeted pay raise, citing the need for substantial modifications based on the Pentagon's Quadrennial Review on Military Compensation. Nonetheless, a broad bipartisan coalition managed to trounce this argument, paving the way for the raise. Just remember, the funding is still pending approval in the defense appropriations bill, which is yet to be completed.
Additionally, the Senate Armed Services Committee wants to establish a pilot program that'd allow you to show off your beard game. This proposal, unfortunately, didn't make it to the final bill. But fear not, the compromise NDAA directs the Secretary to mull over the feasibility of a beard pilot program, keeping your razors at bay for the time being. They've asked the Secretary to determine whether:
- Beards can jeopardize gas mask seals and other equipment
- Beards might impact discipline, morale, or unity
- Beards could foster more inclusivity for those suffering from razor burn or individuals with religious beliefs that encourage facial hair
- there are potential remedies to combat bias and negative perceptions towards bearded Air Force members.
By April 1, the Secretary better have some answers!
Excitingopportunities in the Civvy World!
The NDAA shines a light on a path for civilians to skip the Active-Duty service and head straight for Warrant Officer Training School. The eliminated requirement for one year of Active-Duty service opens up new avenues for those aiming for a higher rank in the Air Force.
Aircraft Countdown
All in all, spending in the measure bumps up by just 1 percent, adhering to caps set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. However, lawmakers and the President have conflicting views on specific details. The legislation, if it passes, calls for an additional six F-15EX fighter jets over the 18 proposed by the president. This is a response to these extra planes resurfacing on the National Guard's unfunded priorities list.
The NDAA throws in a couple more C-130J cargo planes, an LC-130 "ski plane" for remote, snow-filled transports, and two additional C-40s for VIP and leader transports. These 11 planes factor in an additional $1.2 billion, which lawmakers cover partially by slicing $500 million from F-35 fighter and KC-46 funding. Sounds like these fancy jets have an "excess cost growth" problem.
The proposed bill permits the Air Force to streamline 56 A-10 Close Air Support aircraft, consistent with its ambitions. But it puts the brakes on other fighter retirals.
The bill thwarts the Air Force's intention to retire:
- 36 F-15Cs
- 3 F-16s
- No F-22s
- No F-15Es, extending the ban through 2027
The Air Force is itching to say goodbye to its Block 20 F-22 jets because they are too costly to modernize and no longer combat-ready. Similarly, the Air Force wants to shuffle about half its F-15E fleet, as their older engines hinder modernization efforts.
But Congress doesn't seem ready to let these aircraft go, despite the Air Force's warnings of less combat readiness. They've even allocated $126 million to stave off the retirement of F-15Es, and they're trying to ease the burden by not funding the Senate's proposal to sustain the Block 20 F-22s. These funds will have to be conjured up elsewhere.
In short, the Air Force tried to retire F-15E and F-22 fighters, but Congress has played a big role in obstructing these plans, citing concerns about maintaining adequate fighter numbers and readiness. The pressure is on 'em to find other ways to improve combat readiness without retiring these fighters.
- The Air Force and Space Force are preparing for changes outlined in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is expected to pass in the coming weeks.
- Fighter jet pilots may soon have additional six F-15EX jets to fly, as the NDAA calls for more planes than the president's proposal.
- Veterans and active military personnel can look forward to a pay raise, with a 4.5% overall increase effective from January 1, and an additional 10% boost for enlisted ranks up to E-4 from April 1.
- The Senate Armed Services Committee is considering a pilot program that would allow bearded Air Force members, but a final decision is yet to be made.
- Technology advancements will provide civilians with an opportunity to bypass Active-Duty service and enter Warrant Officer Training School.
- Education-and-self-development opportunities may expand as the NDAA encourages cooperation between military institutions and sports organizations for athletic training.
- The NDAA includes funding for new aircraft, such as C-130J cargo planes, an LC-130 "ski plane," and two additional C-40s, but it also reduces funding for F-35 fighters and KC-46 aircraft due to "excess cost growth" issues.
