Appropriations are divided into these five (5) colors of money. What are their terms of life?

• A. Military Construction (MILCON) 2-year; Procurement (OPA) 4-year; RDT&E 1-year; Military Personnel Army (MPA) 3-year; Operations & Maintenance (O&M) 5-year
• B. Military Construction (MILCON) 1-year; Procurement (OPA) 3-year; RDT&E 2-year; Military Personnel Army (MPA) 1-year; Operations & Maintenance (O&M) 1-year
• C. Military Construction (MILCON) 10-year; Procurement (OPA) 6-year; RDT&E 8-year; Military Personnel Army (MPA) 2-year; Operations & Maintenance (O&M) 9-year
• D. Military Construction (MILCON) 1-year; Procurement (OPA) 3-year; RDT&E 2-year; Military Personnel Army (MPA) 1-year; Operations & Maintenance (O&M) 1-year

Answer: (D)

Funds in the five colors of money have distinct periods they are available for obligation, reflecting the nature of the programs they support. The correct pairing shows the life of each fund as: Military Construction (MILCON) 1 year; Procurement (OPA) 3 years; Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) 2 years; Military Personnel (MPA) 1 year; Operations & Maintenance (O&M) 1 year. This aligns with how these funds are used: procurement and development programs often span multiple years, construction funds are typically tied to what can be obligated and spent within a single fiscal year, while personnel salaries and routine operations are handled within the current year’s budget. Other options mix these periods in ways that don’t match how these funds are ordinarily authorized and obligated, which is why this set is the best answer.