Proposed 2015 defense budget bodes well for area

By Bill Bartel
The Virginian-Pilot
© March 5, 2014

The proposed 2015 Defense Department budget unveiled Tuesday proposed that sailors and other service members get a small pay raise but pay slightly more for their families' health care.

The $496 billion spending plan calls for reducing the size of the Marine Corps, Army and Air Force but leaves the Navy's force strength intact at about 323,600. It includes requests for more than $200 million in construction projects at military facilities in southeastern Virginia.

The budget request doesn't address the likelihood of large cutbacks - including the potential loss of an aircraft carrier - in 2016 and beyond if Congress does not reverse automatic budget cuts known as sequestration.

The budget document, which now goes to Congress for consideration, also calls for a new round of base closings in 2017. Similar requests were rejected by Congress in recent years.