One more note on H.R. 5658

TRANSPORTATION OF FAMILY PETS DURING EVACUATION OF NONESSENTIAL PERSONNEL.

Section 406(b)(1) of title 37, United States Code, is amended by inserting after subparagraph (H), as added by section 632, the following new subparagraph:

‘‘(I) In connection with an evacuation from a permanent station located in a foreign area, a member is entitled to transportation of not more than two family household pets, including shipment and the payment of quarantine fees, if any. As an alternative to the provision of transportation for the pets, the Secretary concerned may reimburse the member or provide a monetary allowance under sub paragraph (F) if other commercial transportation meansare used. A member is not entitled to transportation underthis subparagraph for horses, livestock, or pets weighing inexcess of 150 pounds or for animals that the Secretary concerned determines are exotic pets or endangered species.’’.

More FYI on H.R. 5658

I read through bill H.R. 5658 and here are some of points of interest...

• Introduced by Rep. Ike Skelton from MO (D) & Rep. Duncan Hunter from CA (R)
• $124,500,000 for the refueling and complex overhaul of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (home port VA). It is the 1st increment in the planned three-year funding.
  
• Applicability of a previous Teaming Agreements between Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Newport News with contracts to build 30-ship Virginia Class submarines.
• Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, a new breed of focused mission ships. Designed and built by a team led by Lockheed Martin -- will help the U.S. Navy defeat growing littoral, or close-to-shore, threats and provide access and dominance in coastal water battle-space.
• Increased maximum authorized payment or reimbursement amount
  for temporary lodging expenses from $180 a day to $290 a day.
• Bonus and Special Pay Extensions. Some include, Aviation Officer Retention Bonus, Asignment Incentive Pay, Reenlistment Bonus for Active Members, Enlisted Bonus, Special Pay for Nuclear-Qualified Officers Extending Period of Active Service, the Nuclear Career Accession Bonus, and the Nuclear Career Annual Incentive Bonus extended.
  
• Increased weight allowance for transportation of baggage and household
  effects for certain enlisted members. Effective October 1, 2008.

  {paygrade-with dependents/without dependents}

  E–9 13,500 /15,500

  E–8 12,500 /14,500

  E–7 11,500 /13,500

  E–6 8,500 /11,500

  E–5 7,500 /9,500

• Chiropractic health care for members on active duty who are entitled to care under section 1074(a) of title 10, United Stated Code
  
• The military department designated as the Department of the Navy is redesignated as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.
• $1,401,553,000 for the National Defense Sealift Fund.

2009 Pay Raise Approves House

The House Armed Services Committee approved H.R. 5658. The bill authorizes a 3.9 percent pay military pay raise in addition to $70 billion to support ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during fiscal year 2009. A detailed summary of H.R. 5658 as reported by the House Armed Services Committee is available.

For an E-4 with four years' military service would receive an increase of $79.86 a month. For an O-4 with four years, it would be $189.25 a month. Find your proposed pay for 2009.