How do past military pay increases compare to what’s being proposed for 2019?

By

Ken Chamberlain

Sun rises over the Capitol Dome in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 9, 2018. The Senate confirmed two new Veterans Affairs leadership posts in the final hours of the 115th session on Wednesday. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

President Trump earlier this month called for a 2.6 percent pay increase for fiscal 2019 as part of his budget request to Congress.

“The department expects moderate and manageable increases in pay will continue in the near term and will match the growth in private sector wages,” DoD said in the budget book accompanying the fiscal year 2019 request.

Whether Congress goes along with the 2.6 percent request or not remains to be seen, though chances are the increase will be at least the requested amount. But how does Trump’s proposed increase compare with previous years’ increases: