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U.S. Army Budget FY 2021

Friday, March 20, 2020

What is it?

The U.S. Army’s FY21 Budget supports the National Defense Strategy (NDS) requirements and provides detailed strategic guidance for the U.S. Defense Department. NDS outlines the force needed to win future wars with next-generation combat systems, modernized doctrine and reorganized formations by 2028, to keep the Army ready to deploy, fight and win.

What are the current and past efforts of the Army?

The Army needs consistent funding levels and a predictable pattern of growth in all accounts and timely enactment of NDAA and appropriation bills.

The FY21 budget ($178.0B) continues to align funding to the Army’s six high-priority efforts and three other critical efforts:

  • Long-range precision fires
  • Next-generation combat vehicle
  • Future vertical lift
  • The network
  • Air and Missile defense
  • Soldier lethality

Efforts under the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office:

  • Directed-energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense
  • High-Energy Laser, as part of the Indirect Fires Protection Capability
  • High-Powered Microwave, as part of the Indirect Fires Protection Capability

The FY21 budget resources the Army’s recruiting and retention missions, ensuring the current trajectory of modest end strength growth across the total force.

Quality of Life is a critical element of force readiness. This budget supports the Secretary of the Army’s and the Chief of Staff’s top five Quality of Life priorities:

  • Adequate investments in Family housing and barracks
  • Transforming the Defense Health Agency
  • Improving and adequately resourcing Child & Youth Services
  • Improving spouse employment opportunities
  • Minimizing the impact of PCS moves

What continued efforts does the Army have planned?

The Army will continue efforts to modernize and reform to develop and deliver better capabilities for Soldiers now and in the future including:

  • Updating the talent management paradigm
  • Adjusting operational concepts, policy and training methods
  • Improving business processes
  • Creating efficiencies
  • Realigning money and the work force to meet high priorities

Given the current strategic environment and the capabilities of the near peer competitors, it is imperative the Army increases overmatch and dominance against all potential adversaries, and be capable of fighting and winning large-scale combat operations and multi-domain operations in the future.

While strategic and operational environments are changing, the Army will continue to build and sustain readiness, both tactical and strategic, for the full spectrum of military operations.

Why is this important to the Army?

The FY21 Budget will help the Army to transform from an Industrial age to an Information age. It will source the restoration of all linear industrial age processes to be more effective, protect the resources, and make better decisions to be the Army of tomorrow, today.

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Events

March 2020

Women History Month: Visit Women in the U.S. Army

March 25: Medal of Honor Day: Visit Medal of Honor

March 29: National Vietnam War Veterans Day

April 2020

Sexual Assault Prevention & Awareness Month

Month of the Military Child | Visit U.S. Army Families

Day of Remembrance for Victims of the Holocaust

April 5: Gold Star Spouse’s Day | Visit Gold Star Survivors

April 17-19: Best Ranger Competition | Visit U.S. Army Rangers

April 19-25: Army Volunteer Recognition Week

April 22: 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

April 23: U.S. Army Reserve Birthday | Visit Army Reserve

Focus Quote for the Day

Our funding profile looks pretty flat and when you factor in inflation, it's actually a downturn. This year it's about a one percent downturn in real purchasing power. We need real purchasing power growth, three to five percent in future budgets.

Lt. Gen. Horlander, Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Financial Management & Comptroller