Join the Discussion 2003 Pay and Benefits

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Student Loan Repayment Program Interest
(Section 651)

Under previous law, the services' Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) only applied for the principle of the loan. The SLRP did not apply to interest. Congress has now changed this, effective for any interest accrued after October 1, 2003, on applicable student loans.

Storage of Vehicles
(Section 575)

Government storage of Privately Owned Vehicles (POVs) is now authorized when a military member is ordered to overseas duty, and cannot ship their POV in a case in which the laws, regulations, or other restrictions imposed by the foreign country or by the United States either--

a. preclude entry of a motor vehicle described in subsection (a) into that country; or

b. would require extensive modification of the vehicle as a condition to entry.

Members are also authorized to store vehicles at government expense anytime they are deployed for a contingency operation for longer than 30 days.

GI Bill Rates When Transferred to a Family Member
(Section 643)

Last year, Congress changed the GI Bill to allow some service-members (those agreeing to re-enlist in "hard-to fill" military jobs) to transfer up to one-half of their GI Bill entitlements to family members. However, the law was unclear as to whether or not the rates paid should be equal to what a service member receives when going to school after separation from the military, or the smaller rate a service member receives if taking college courses while on active duty. Congress has now clarified this. Family members who use a portion of the military member's GI Bill entitlements are paid at the higher rate. This provision becomes effective when the President signs the bill into law.

Tricare Improvements
(Sections 701 through 708)

Section 701 of the Defense Authorization Act eliminates a requirement for TRICARE pre-authorization of inpatient mental health care for medicare-eligible beneficiaries. Section 702 authorizes continued TRICARE Remote eligibility of dependents residing at remote locations after departure of sponsors for unaccompanied assignments and eligibility of dependents of reserve component members ordered to active duty. Section 706 allows surviving dependents of military personnel who die on active duty to re-enroll in the Dependent Dental Program, if the reason for disenrollment was due to a PCS move. Section 708 assures that veterans eligible for both VA medical care and retiree Tricare can continue to receive care under either program.

Bonuses for Health Care Professionals
(Section 618)

Several bonuses and incentive pays for military health care professionals have been increased:

Caps on receiving multiple bonuses have also been lifted, so a medical officer can now receive the entire amount of bonuses if qualified for more than one bonus or incentive pay program. These changes are effective on October 1, 2002 (backdated), after the bill is signed into law.

Please note, that like all enlistment bonuses, and accession bonuses, the law only limits the maximum that the services can pay. Each of the services are free to offer no bonus, a lesser amount, or the full amount, depending on their current recruiting needs. For example, for the Navy Nurse Officer Candidate Accession Program, at present, the Navy has decided to offer a $5,000 bonus ($5,000 less than the maximum authorized under the law), and a $500 monthly stipend ($500 per month less than the maximum authorized under the law).

More Military on Active Duty
(Sections 401 through 403)

The FY 2003 Defense Authorization Act makes some changes to year-end active duty strength levels. More importantly, however, it authorizes each service to exceed the active duty limits by up to 2 percent, and up to 3 percent if approved by the Secretary of Defense:

Selected Reserves
(Sections 411 and 412)

The FY 2003 Defense Authorization Act also makes some changes to the authorized force-levels of the Selected Reserves:

Active Guard and Reserve
(Sections 413 and 414)

The FY 2003 Defense Authorization Act also makes some minor changes to the size of the Active Guard and Reserves (Guard and Reserve members in full-time positions):

Recalling Retired Aviators to Active Duty
(Section 688)

The Secretary of a military department may order to active duty a retired officer having expertise as an aviator to fill staff positions normally filled by aviators on active duty. Any such order may be made only with the consent of the officer ordered to active duty and in accordance with an agreement between the Secretary and the officer. No more than 500 officers can be on active duty at any one time under this provision. This provision terminates on September 30, 2008.

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