NORFOLK, Va. — Improving the quality of life for service members remains a top priority for the military and politicians.
In a recent letter to President Joe Biden, top leaders from the House Armed Services Committee wrote that there is "an alarming erosion of military quality of life that, if not addressed quickly, will soon place the All-Volunteer Force at risk."
One thing that could go a long way is an item in the Department of Defense's (DoD) budget for Fiscal Year 2025 that would expand eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA), putting more money in the pockets of junior enlisted personnel.
According to the Military Times, the DoD wants to expand the pool of people who may qualify for BNA financial aid to include families that earn a gross household income of up to 200% of the annual federal poverty level. It's currently at 150%.
Recipients of the BNA get an average stipend of more than $1,000 a month.
Sailors who spoke to 13News Now said sometimes, it can be tough to make ends meet, and every little bit could help.
"I know for a fact that pay is one of the big reasons why people join the military," said Electrician's Mate Second Class Seth Fairfax. "It's a steady job. So, if you get a little more pay it gives you a reason to stay in a little bit."
"I think that would go a long way for the junior sailors to just make ends meet," said Yeoman Submarine First Class David Baxter.
"Yeah, I believe it will help a lot of people," added Information Systems Technician Second Class Tairah Jones. "I think they'll be happier. Because, financially, it can be a real stressful environment."
Military leaders and politicians agree that taking care of the 1.3 million men and women in uniform is mission-essential.
"If we can't support our service members and their families we're going to lose people. And we're already struggling with retention as well as recruitment," said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Florida) during a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing.
Ever since two clusters of suicides claimed the lives of at least nine local sailors in 2022 and 2023, the Navy has redoubled its efforts to improve the quality of life and service for personnel.
"Quality of service, recruitment, retention, it all improves when our sailors can see that leadership is engaged and forward-leaning. No better way to do that than improve where they live, where they eat, where they work and ease some of the friction points to make their lives easier and more streamlined," said Admiral Daryl Caudle, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, speaking in April before the Navy League of the United States Hampton Roads.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro told lawmakers in March: "Above all else, we're taking care of our personnel and their families, by focusing on improving housing, expanding childcare capacity, and increasing access to mental health resources, amongst other critical areas."
Recent upgrades include free high-speed Wi-Fi in barracks and healthier food options in mess halls.
However, there is still much work to do.
A September 2023 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed deplorable conditions in around 9,000 military barracks at more than 500 U.S. military bases.
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea told lawmakers in March that his branch is committed to getting sailors off of ships and into decent quarters.
"Make no doubt about it. We do believe that every sailor deserves to have a separation from work life and into their home life so they have a place to decompress both physically and mentally, so they can be refreshed," he said.
During a February visit to Naval Station Norfolk, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles "CQ" Brown, told 13News Now that quality of life improvements are critical to the total force mission readiness.
"It's really the things we do to take care of our service members. And it's not just when we think of mental health... I mean, mental health is health. But it's also how we as leaders make sure that we have the skill set to actually sit down and talk with our young service members," he said.
An April 2023 memorandum from the Secretary of the Navy — "Setting a Course for Sailor Quality of Life" — stated, "We must be resolute in our commitment to care for our people."
In their recent "Quality of Life Panel Report," a bipartisan group of House Armed Services Committee members wrote in their mission statement: "We strive to create a future where military families thrive in support of our national security."