Hello Shipmates.
We’re starting an important phase in our defense budget cycle. Our defense budget was delivered to Congress in mid-February and I’d like to take a moment to discuss how it will impact you and our Navy. Through the video clips below, I talk about places visited, and then address questions you have brought up about Enlisted Retention Boards (ERB), pay raises and benefits, and the future of our fleet.
The first clip is about ERB; that we don’t expect another in fiscal years 2013 and 2014:
In the next clip, I discuss the budget. Our budget for fiscal year 2013 is in line with our new defense strategy and my Sailing Directions. We made some tough choices and although our Navy will get smaller by a few ships initially, we’ll be back up to size in a few years. We remain agile, flexible and formidable:
The final clip takes the budget discussion a little closer to home: pay and benefits. I’m very confident the personnel portion of our budget supports our Sailors and families the way they deserve to be supported. Our FY2013 budget includes a 1.7-percent pay raise for our Sailors. This will keep your buying power on par with the private sector. We protected the G.I. Bill, family readiness programs, sexual assault programs and operational stress programs to ensure the continued support of our Sailors and families:
Thanks for tuning in and thank you all for what you do. I am always impressed with the caliber of the men and women in our Navy. I look forward to seeing you all in the fleet.
JONATHAN W. GREENERT
Admiral, U.S. Navy