In a recent announcement, Minister of National Defence, Helena Carreiras, expressed the government's commitment to raising the average monthly basic pay of military personnel by 20% by
2026. This endeavor is aligned with the broader goal set for the entire public administration.
Helena Carreiras emphasized the progress made by the military in terms of salary increases when she cited data from the Directorate-General for Administration and Public Employment, which revealed that the military's average monthly pay had surged by over 9%, surpassing the 5% increase witnessed in the Public Administration sector. She commended this development as an indication of the government's dedication to improving the financial well-being of military personnel and public servants.
"The government is steadfast in its mission to enhance the average basic monthly remuneration for civil servants by 20% before 2026, and the same commitment applies to the Armed Forces," she affirmed.
Addressing a significant change included in the new General Tables of Aptitude and Capacity, which stipulates a reduction in the minimum height requirement for general entry into the Armed Forces to 1.54 meters for both men and women, Helena Carreiras offered a robust defense of this adjustment. She noted that criticism of this measure often stems from a lack of understanding, arguing that military roles encompass a wide range of demands and specialties. Excluding individuals based solely on their height, whether too short or too tall, appears counterproductive when considering the diversity of skills and expertise required across various military functions.
In the minister's view, the revised General Tables of Aptitude and Capacity, which also remove various chronic illnesses as automatic disqualifiers for candidates, play a vital role in expanding the pool of potential recruits. These changes are perceived as necessary steps to ensure that the Armed Forces can draw from a more diverse and skilled workforce, enhancing their overall effectiveness and capabilities. Photo by Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, Wikimedia commons.