Pay Increase: For 2009 the new budget seeks a 3.4 percent pay raise for current active duty service members. As the Military Times reports this is the minimum raise allowed under federal law–and some advocates are displeased with the projected numbers. Here’s the paper’s rundown of sample salaries for the troops in 2009:

An E-4 with more than three years of service now earns $1,949. 10 per month; that would rise to $2,015. 40 per month on Jan. 1 under the Pentagon plan. An E-7 with more than 10 years of service now earns $3,263. 10 per month; a 3. 4 percent raise would turn that into $3,374. 10 per month. An O-3 with more than six years of service now earns $4,763. 10 per month; that officer would earn $4,925. 10 per month with a 3. 4 percent pay increase.

A Hospital Veterans in the Orlando, FL area are speaking out against what they perceive as the proposed budget’s lack of funds for a local VA hospital. As the Orlando Sentinel reports:

Long-term The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America took a long-term look at where it sees facets of the budget allocated for veterans ultimately ending up.

“What a disappointment,” said retired Air Force Col. Joseph Kittinger, a decorated veteran. “All of the politicians give lip service to the veterans, but that is all it is, lip service.” He added, though, that the $120 million “is a start and better than nothing.”

Defense Budget For the defense budget itself, USA Today provides a good summary of highlights covering where the money is intended to go:

For an overall political view of how things are shaking out, the Associated Press provides this quick piece on reactions to the budget.

•Aircraft and weapons: $45.6 billion, a $4.9 billion increase, that would include purchases of fighter planes such as the F-22A Raptor and F/A-18 Hornet and unmanned aircraft like the Predator and Reaper.

•Cyberspace security: The budget shows at least $65 million for research and development projects tied to computer security. Some elements of the effort are secret, and funding levels are not disclosed.

•Pay and health care: $149 billion to increase salaries and fund health care. Military salaries would increase by 3.4%.