Soldiers', Sailors', Airmen's, and Marines' Bill of Rights Act of 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Pay and Allowances

Title II: Retirement Benefits

Title III: Montgomery GI Bill Benefits

Title IV: Report

Soldiers', Sailors', Airmen's, and Marines' Bill of Rights Act of 1999 - Title I: Pay and Allowances - Waives during FY 2000 any required adjustment in the rates of monthly military basic pay in conformance with the General Schedule of the Federal Government. Increases such pay by 4.8 percent, effective on January 1, 2000. Provides: (1) an increase in such pay as of July 1, 2000, for officer and enlisted personnel within specified pay grades; and (2) a pay increase for fiscal years after 2000 of one percent over the percentage increase as calculated under the Employment Cost Index.

(Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay a special subsistence allowance of $180 for each month in which an enlisted member in pay grade E-5 or below is eligible to receive food stamp assistance. Terminates or reestablishes such entitlement under certain conditions.

Title II: Retirement Benefits - Authorizes the payment of a lump-sum bonus of $30,000 to a member who: (1) first became a member on or after August 1, 1986; (2) has completed 15 years of active duty; and (3) executes a written agreement to remain on active duty until the completion of 20 years of such service. Requires notification of those eligible for such bonus. Requires a pro rata repayment of such bonus when the full additional period is not completed. Authorizes a waiver of the repayment requirement when against equity or good conscience or contrary to the best interests of the United States.

(Sec. 202) Authorizes, beginning on July 1, 2000, a member serving on active duty for more than 30 days to participate in the Federal Thrift Savings Plan, with a maximum annual contribution of five percent of basic pay and any special or incentive pay. Prohibits matching Federal agency contributions. Adds a representative of such members to the Employee Thrift Advisory Council.

(Sec. 203) Authorizes the Secretary concerned to enter into an agreement to make contributions to the Thrift Savings Fund for the benefit of a member who: (1) is in a specialty designated as critical; and (2) agrees to continue to serve on active duty in such specialty for a period of six years.

Title III: Montgomery GI Bill Benefits - Increases for FY 2000 the monthly rate of educational assistance paid to veterans pursuing a program of education on a full-time basis under the veterans' educational assistance program (VEAP).

(Sec. 302) Terminates a one-year reduction in the basic pay of military personnel who choose not to participate in VEAP.

(Sec. 303) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, when appropriate, to make accelerated payments under VEAP pursuant to an individual's request.

(Sec. 304) Authorizes such Secretary to permit individuals entitled to assistance under VEAP to transfer such assistance to the individual's spouse, one or more children, or a combination thereof. Requires the individual to designate the transferees chosen, the percentage of assistance for each, and the period in which such transfer shall be effective. Requires any child receiving such assistance to complete his or her entitlement before attaining 26 years of age.

Title IV: Report - Directs the Secretary of Defense to submit annually to the Congress an assessment of the effects of this Act on military personnel recruitment and retention.