The Military Funeral Honors program has repeatedly proven the civic importance of its enduring mission. Personnel funding picture has been on the decrease since 2020. Members are uncertain if they will have a job at the start of ever fiscal year; prompting Soldiers to search in advance for other positions within and outside the organization. Military Funeral Honor positions are currently funded at the E5 level. To remain in the program, experienced members must turn down promotion opportunities to E6. Additionally, should the Soldiers accept promotion to E6 they are forced to resign the full-time position. Each year DOD allocates funding to support the US Army’s Military Funeral Honors Mission in the form of 2060 1C, 1N and 2065 (OMNG) funds. The program and funding have changed over time, but what remains constant is funding is not guaranteed from year to year.
Guaranteed funding is required each year to allow Soldiers to retire from Military Funeral Honors program.