WASHINGTON — The Army released its fiscal year 2025 presidential budget request of $185.9 billion on Monday, detailing how the service intends to man, train and equip the force into the future.
The request includes approximately $3.9 billion for military construction supporting a total of 45 projects across the total Army. That includes $2.4 billion for barracks restoration, construction and sustainment, a 325% increase for barracks construction over last year’s request and the first time in recent history the Army has funded 100% of the sustainment requirement.
“People are obviously our top priority,” said Army Under Secretary Gabe Camarillo. “[Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth] and Army leaders have, for the last two years, really emphasized the need to have sustained investment in quality housing for our Soldiers, both for families and individual Soldiers in barracks.”
There are nine barracks construction projects outlined in the budget: Fort Johnson, Louisiana; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia; Smith Barracks and two at Barton Barracks, Germany; Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico; and Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, California.
There is also money for barracks managers to ensure timely and proper maintenance.
Here are a few other budgetary highlights:
Quality of Life
- The report outlines a 4.5% increase in basic pay for Soldiers, a 3.9% increase in basic allowance for housing and a 3.4% increase in basic allowance for subsistence, which offsets the cost of a service member’s food.
- The military construction budget includes funds for three child development centers (Fort George G. Meade, Army Garrison Wiesbaden, Fort Liberty) and one youth center located at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium.
- The Army wants to expand its Holistic Health and Fitness program by adding 15 brigades, bringing the total across the force to 71. The Army is also increasing its investments in behavioral health and financial resources for Soldiers.
“Building positive command climates at scale is absolutely critical to us,” Camarillo said. “I would say it is one of our top priorities.”
