Reservists to receive retroactive pay in late February Published Feb. 18, 2008 WASHINGTON -- Air Force reservists on extended active duty will receive retroactive earnings in mid-February, according to a Pentagon announcement Jan. 29. All other reservists will get their back pay "a couple of weeks later." The National Defense Authorization Act signed into law Jan. 28 by President Bush stipulates a 3.5 percent military pay raise. This hike is 0.5 percent higher than an executive order the president signed Dec. 28 to increase pay by 3 percent, which took effect Jan 1. In mid-February, Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials will pay people on active duty the extra 0.5 percent raise earned since the start of 2008. Reservists drawing reserve pay will receive their supplement at the end of February, said Bill Carr, deputy undersecretary for military personnel policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Mr. Carr said Pentagon officials are "delighted" with the act and praised cooperation by Congress. Disagreement between the president and Congress over non-defense-related earmarks and controversial language about the Iraq war had delayed the bill's enactment. "I think it's good news for everybody in uniform," Mr. Carr said. "This Congress has been terrific in working with us in terms of providing to the troops the things that they need." The bill became law just a week before the next budget cycle begins as President Bush sends his fiscal 2009 request to Capitol Hill. That budget proposal, along with a request for $70 billion in emergency war spending, is to go to Congress Feb. 4. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service from American Forces Press Service) http://www.afrc.af.mil/newsreleases/story.asp?id=123084907