This summer brought remarkable growth in MOAA’s advocacy network, with over 700 new registered advocates joining our ranks to help send more than 17,000 letters to members of Congress through the Legislative Action Center.

The messages amplified our collective voice and drove home the urgency of the three key issues making up our Advocacy in Action summer campaign:

Increasing Junior Enlisted Pay

Competitive pay is vital to maintaining the strength of our all-volunteer force. Both the House and Senate versions of the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) include provisions addressing this issue: The House NDAA proposes a 15% pay raise for servicemembers E-1 to E-4 in addition to the 4.5% raise for all personnel, while the Senate version suggests a 1% increase for E-1 to E-3 beyond the general 4.5% raise.

These measures are a step in the right direction, but continued advocacy is necessary to ensure our junior servicemembers can support themselves and their families.

Restoring the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

Quality housing is crucial for the financial well-being of our servicemembers. The House version of the NDAA proposes restoring BAH to 100% for FY 2025, moving closer to our goal of a permanent fix.

Unfortunately, the Senate version does not address this issue, highlighting the need for continued advocacy to achieve a comprehensive solution.

Supporting Combat-Injured Veterans

The Major Richard Star Act, which aims to eliminate the unfair offset between DoD retirement pay and VA disability compensation, has seen significant support in Congress. Despite this, neither version of the NDAA includes the bill.

It remains critical that lawmakers hear from constituents on this important issue, particularly as we approach the 119th Congress.

Reflecting on Spring and the Importance of Summer

Our Advocacy in Action event this spring was a powerful demonstration of collective commitment, with over 150 MOAA members converging on Capitol Hill to spotlight critical issues facing our uniformed services community. The energy and momentum generated during this event laid a strong foundation for our ongoing efforts.

The summer campaign built on this spring effort, maintaining the visibility of our key issues as Congress returned from its August recess. It is crucial that we keep the momentum going to ensure that these important topics remain at the forefront of legislative discussions. By staying active and engaged, we can continue to push for the changes our community needs and ensure that our voices are heard loud and clear as lawmakers enter the final months of the 118th Congress.

MOAA will continue to keep you informed as the NDAA moves through Congress. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and participation in MOAA’s mission; together, we are making strides toward meaningful legislative changes and ensuring that the needs of our nation’s heroes are met.