Budget proposal slashes construction, housing - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Budget proposal slashes construction, housing

The Army’s proposed budget for fiscal 2012 seeks a slight boost for operations and maintenance; relatively no growth for research, development and acquisition; and a nearly 20 percent cut in military construction and family housing.

There are no surprises in the request, provided to Congress on Monday. The service requested $60.6 billion for personnel costs. This $1.6 billion increase over last year’s request covers the temporary increase in end-strength and a 1.6 percent pay raise, 3.1 percent housing raise and 3.4 percent subsistence raise.

The big gain is in operations and maintenance. The $45.2 billion requested is a $1.4 billion boost from last year, and a $5.1 billion jump from fiscal 2010. The $31.8 billion research, development and acquisition request rose by $200 million from last year.

The $4.9 billion sought for military construction and family housing is down from the $5.8 billion requested in fiscal 2011. Military construction carries that cut, as housing would see a $100 million increase over last year’s request.

The budget projects $1 billion in savings through reorganizations and better business practices; $1.3 billion in program reductions and terminations; and $400 million in reduced lower priority programs.

Overseas Contingency Operations requests total $71.1 billion.