The Military Advisory Panel, which makes the decision on the monthly allowance, raised the amount from $231 to $410 at its meeting last week.
Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan wrote to the panel advocating for the increase after he visited with CNMI soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait last month. Soldiers told him of their concern about the financial pressures on their families back home.
“When troops who risk their lives on a daily basis are left feeling insecure about the conditions under which their families are living,” Sablan wrote the panel, “we must all be concerned and respond with appropriate action.”
The overseas housing allowance compensates members for their housing and utilities expenses when their families live in rented housing. The allowance is based on a survey of service members about their actual rents and utilities.
While happy to see the allowance increase, Sablan said he remains concerned about how the panel decides the amount of the allowance.
“I have asked the Pentagon for a full briefing on this issue so that I am assured the allowance is computed for families of soldiers from the Northern Marianas in a way that is completely fair.”
Sablan also is urging all soldiers in the Northern Marianas to participate in the next survey, which is scheduled for the end of this year.
