[Yo-Yo]

That is crap! Military Retirees get the whole 8 percent plus. I mean I’m grateful but the active duty should get it as well.

I was in the Air Force during the end of the Carter years, and I remember inflation being north of 8%, but Carter limiting our pay raises to 5.5% to "hold the line on inflation."

[OldGoatCPO]

It’s how the formulas are setup. The 4.6% is their basic pay. There will be further increases in COLA related to housing and meals which will bring their pay increase up in par with retirees and disabled vets.

Yes..the average junior enlisted living in the barracks and eating in the chow hall will only see a 4.6% increase. But the cost of heating their rooms, electricity, meals and meal preparation has also risen. Except for junior enlisted who do not know how to managed their funds, they will see a 4.6% increase in disposable income.