Navy Leaders Budget for Future Force

President Bush submitted his 2007 fiscal year (FY) budget request to Congress Feb. 6, which included the Navy’s $127 billion budget proposal. The President’s budget request was also accompanied by the recently released Department of Defense’s Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). The Navy’s proposed budget boasts a $4.4 billion increase from last year’s baseline appropriations. If approved, the FY 07 - FY11 budget provides the necessary funding levels to sustain current readiness, build the fleet for the future and develop the 21st Century Sailor over the next four years. What that means for Sailors and Marines are possible increases in pay and benefits as well as several quality of life improvements. According to Navy leaders, the requested budget proposes a 5.9 percent increase in Basic Allowance for Housing, a 2.2 percent pay increase and improved facilities for schools and child care. “We have a significant increase in the benefits for our Sailors as we’re looking towards the future to take care of our 21st Century Sailor,” said Rear Adm. Stanley D. Bozin, director, Office of Budget for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. “We want to make sure they are compensated for what they are doing as an all volunteer force, and I think this budget reflects that. It’s a significant accomplishment to be able to do that and reward our Sailors and Marines,” Bozin said. Other proposed FY 07 – FY 11 budget highlights include the construction of seven ships and funding for 165 aircraft, for a total of 51 new ships and 1,150 new aircraft The FY 07 construction and production plan includes two Littoral Combat Ships, two DD(X) destroyers, one Virginia-class submarine, one LHA (R), one T-AKE, 12 EA-18G Growlers, 14 MV-22 Ospreys, 30 F/A-18 Hornets, 21 Joint Primary Air Training Systems and four KC-130Js.