Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011

The Department of Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (S. 3455) was a legislative proposal designed to set the budget and policy priorities for the United States military for that fiscal year. It authorized funding for the procurement of advanced hardware, such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and various naval vessels, while also establishing the legal framework for overseas contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For everyday citizens and service members, the bill included several provisions impacting personnel and family life, such as a 1.4% pay increase for troops and an extension of TRICARE health coverage to dependent children up to age 26. It also addressed military justice by updating sexual assault statutes and proposed a process for the eventual repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, contingent upon a formal review of military readiness. Additionally, the bill sought to improve government efficiency by streamlining the defense acquisition process and increasing oversight of private military contractors.