Posted 12/13/2023, 9:13:00 PM
Defense Bill Boosts Troop Pay, Benefits While Extending Surveillance Program and Curbing 'Wokeness'
- Provides largest raise for service members in over 20 years and other benefits to improve recruitment/retention
- Temporarily extends controversial surveillance program through April 19
- Strengthens US military posture in Indo-Pacific to deter China, including with $14.7B for Pacific Deterrence Initiative
- Includes measures aimed at "ending wokeness in the military," like banning critical race theory teachings and LGBTQ pride flags
- Requires informing service members discharged over vaccine mandate of process to be reinstated and treated as "career intermission"