FY 2010 Defense Budget Proposal :
For FY 2010, the President has requested $533.7 billion for the Department of Defense Base Budget. This is a 3.5% increase over the FY2009 budget of $515.4 billion. There is an additional request of $130 billion for the overseas contingency fund. This supports an increase of troops in Afghanistan, and a safe wind-down in Iraq. This is a 72% increase in the $75.5 billion supplemental request for FY 2009.
However, there is no additional funding request for the War on Terror or BioShield operations, as there was in last year's budget. Total requested Security/DoD/WoT spending was $738 billion in FY 2009, compared to $663.7 for FY2010.(Source: OMB, Defense Department Budget, 2010; Mid-Session Review , Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2009 Table S-2.)
What Does the 2010 Military Budget Focus On?:
The budget pays for supporting troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also expands pay for retired military personnel and Veterans Disability Compensation. It allows for improved care for wounded servicemembers, especially mental health needs.
It will review acquisitions and defense technology development to eliminate waste. It also focuses on improving the facilities used by service personnel. A Defense Department review will be performed in the near future to provide additional strategic direction.
