Fiscal Year 2009 Department Of Defense Budget Released

They say the budget will procure and maintain an arsenal of the world's most advanced weapon systems.

U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan Photo by Tim King Salem-News.com

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - President George W. Bush today sent to Congress his Defense budget for Fiscal Year 2009. The budget provides $515.4 billion in discretionary authority for the Department of Defense (DoD), a $35.9 billion or 7.5 percent increase over the enacted level for Fiscal Year 2008.

The Fiscal Year 2009 budget reflects the President's priorities and sustains his commitment to prevail in the Global War on Terror; increase ground combat capabilities; improve force readiness; develop the combat capabilities needed to meet future threats; and improve the quality of life for Service members and their families.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said, "the President's budget for FY 2009 provides the resources necessary to maintain an agile, highly trained, and lethal fighting force, increase Army and Marine Corps end strength, and sustain the United States' technological advantage over current and potential enemies."

Specifically, the Department requests a number of things. They say the funds will allow the maintenance of a highly trained fighting force of 2.2 million soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. They say the money will be used to recruit, train and equip 65,000 additional active duty soldiers and 27,000 additional Marines over five years.

The budget provides pay increases of 3.4 percent for military members, improves benefits for the all-volunteer force, and increases pay 2.9 percent for the civilian workforce, and it would provides world-class health care for 9.2 million eligible Service members, families, and retirees. Of course those costs are ongoing already.

They say the budget will procure and maintain an arsenal of the world's most advanced weapon systems, improve warfighting capabilities and invests in science and technology to maintain U.S. advantage over the Nation's enemies, while maintaining 545,000 facilities at 5,300 sites in the U.S. and around the globe. They say it will also allow them to maintains vital intelligence capabilities.

The Fiscal Year 2009 budget is posted at: budget.mil.