Military families received a 14. 5 percent pay increase for junior enlisted personnel as an early Christmas present, part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Georgia U. S. Senator Jon Ossoff highlighted the importance of this increase for military quality of life, noting that junior enlisted members struggle to afford basics like housing and food. Ossoff stressed that fair pay is crucial for national security, as low salaries hinder recruitment and retention of young service members. The NDAA also includes a 4. 5% pay increase for all service members, with an additional 10% for the most junior members across all branches.