what is special duty assignment pay

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Special Duty Assignment Pay

If you are an enlisted member who is performing duties which have been designated as extremely difficult or involving an unusual degree of responsibility in a military skill, you may be entitled to Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP).

The following table reflects the most recent SDAP monthly rates:

What Military Specialties Qualify For Special Duty Assignment Pay?

Some of the qualifying military specialties include:

• Nuclear Trained Sailors
• Special Operations Forces
• Production Recruiter
• White House Communications Agency
• Defense Threat Reduction Agency
• Defense Courier Operations
• Senior Enlisted Advisor to the JCS

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Assignment Incentive Pay (AIP)

Assignment Incentive Military Pay is the military's preferred way to compensate troops from all services. Assignment Incentive Military Pay is often paid to service members for unusual assignment circumstances.

Those service members who have involuntarily extended their tours in Iraq and Kuwait combat zones receive an additional $200 in hardship duty pay and another $800 in assignment incentive pay for a total of an extra $1000 a month. Those service members in certain skills who have served 12 months Iraq and Afghanistan and volunteer to agree to extend their tours receive this assignment incentive military pay.

They receive additional pay for extensions including $900 per month for a 12 month extension, $600 a month for a 6 month extension and $300 a month for a three month extension. Service members with critical intelligence skills will receive up to $1000 a month for each month's extension. Service members in other areas such as South Korea may also receive Assignment Incentive Military Pay for extensions of their tours.

The Assignment Incentive Military Pay Program has become extremely popular and is the military's preferred way to compensate troops from all of the services for certain unusual and extended assignments. The pay cap was increased to $3000 a month Assignment Incentive Military Pay is taxable unless in a combat zone.

Money & Pay Charts

What you could earn in your first year..

Not only do enlisted Soldiers earn a competitive base salary, but they may also be eligible for bonuses, allowances, and other benefits. Here’s an example of what you could make and what’s included in your total compensation.

SEE WHAT THE ARMY PAYS.

The charts below show the basic pay (base annual salary before bonuses) for enlisted Soldiers, Warrant Officers, and commissioned Officers. They’re sorted by rank and years of experience, and do not include bonuses , allowances, or other benefits .

• Active-duty Soldiers work in the Army full time and are paid according to their rank and years of service
• Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers work part time and are paid based on the hours they work, including two weeks of training each year and one weekend per month

Active-duty pay scales.

Army reserve and army national guard pay scales., beyond your paycheck.

The Army provides bonuses, military allowances, and other benefits to help you earn more and offset the cost of living, so more of your paycheck stays in your pocket.

Bonuses when you join

Bonuses are a great way for Soldiers to increase their pay. There are a variety of opportunities including Quick Ship Bonus for reporting to Basic Training within 30 days of enlistment, as well as different job-specific enlistment bonuses.

Housing and home loans

The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is given to full-time U.S.-based Soldiers when housing is not provided on base. The amount is based on location, rank, and family status. The Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) is also available to Soldiers based outside of the U.S. Plus, everyone who joins has access to better loans for buying or maintaining homes off base.

Little-to-no cost health care

All Soldiers and their families have access to comprehensive, quality health care. Full-time Soldiers are covered at no cost, while those serving part time have low costs for their care.

Free education and training

The Army offers programs to all Soldiers that help pay for college, graduate school, licensing and certification courses, entrepreneurship training, and more.

Meals and food allowance

Enlisted Soldiers who live in the barracks get their meals at Army dining facilities covered through their Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS). Commissioned Officers and enlisted Soldiers not living in the barracks can eat at the dining facilities for a charge, and receive a BAS of more than $300 a month to buy food on or off base.

Allowance for uniforms

Enlisted Soldiers receive an annual clothing allowance to replace uniforms and uniform decorations.

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Common questions about money and pay.

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How does an Army base salary compare to pay in the private sector?

When you consider affordable health care for part-time Soldiers and free health care for full-time Soldiers, plus access to bonuses, allowances for housing, food, and clothing, opportunities to get a college degree without incurring debt, and more financial benefits, the Army offers a more competitive choice to similar civilian careers. Your Army base salary is just one part of the total compensation Soldiers receive. While civilian jobs may pay higher base salaries, the Army offers a starting salary above the federal minimum wage for a 40-hour work week, 30 days paid leave every year, plus a variety of benefits on top of your base pay that add up.

What is Special Duty Pay? How else can I earn money in the Army?

Special Duty Pay is additional monthly and/or annual pay given to eligible active-duty Soldiers who perform certain duties, serve in specific geographic locations, work in various jobs called Military Occupation Specialties (MOS), or are given high-value assignments. Along with Special Duty Pay, you can earn bonuses for doing things like heading to Basic Training earlier or taking certain jobs.

How do Army basic pay and benefits differ between full- and part-time service?

When you serve full time in active duty Army and when you serve part time in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard , you have access to the same comprehensive benefits the Army provides to all Soldiers. The pay differs based on years of experience and rank. See the pay charts above for details.

How do Army basic pay and benefits differ for enlisted Soldiers, Warrant Officers, and commissioned Officers?

All Soldiers, including enlisted , Warrant Officers , and commissioned Officers , have access to the same comprehensive Army benefits . The pay for all three Army paths differs depending on which path you choose and whether you’re full time (active duty), or part time (Army Reserve or Army National Guard). See the pay charts above for details.

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SPECIAL DUTIES. EXTRAORDINARY ROLES.

Marines often serve in a variety of special capacities, whether protecting our Nation’s embassies abroad, recruiting the next generation of United States Marines, or even serving the United States Special Operations Command as a MARSOC Raider. These duties are earned by Marines who have proven their exceptional ability to fight and win in the primary Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs) .

Every Marine takes on a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) for which he or she is optimally trained, but beyond these roles are the opportunities to take on special duty assignments. Many of these advanced opportunities are called “B” Billets, a designation separate from a Marine’s primary MOS. Explore these critical but atypical roles in the Corps.

Recruiting duty is a vital assignment in the Marine Corps, as it puts Marines in the position of ensuring the standards of our Corps remain high. Those Marines selected for recruiting duty carry the essential duty of screening, selecting, and preparing the next generation of Marines for the physical and mental rigors of recruit training.

Those Marines selected to serve on Drill Instructor Duty carry the essential responsibility of directly shaping the future of the Marine Corps, providing guidance, discipline, and direction for future Marines.

“These recruits are entrusted to my care. I will train them to the best of my ability. I will develop them into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained Marines, thoroughly indoctrinated in love of Corps and country. I will demand of them, and demonstrate by my own example, the highest standards of personal conduct, morality and professional skill."

—Excerpt from Drill Instructor's Creed

The Marine Corps is the only military service that is entrusted with the responsibility of providing security for U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world. Marines selected for these special duty assignments will have the opportunity to serve at embassies and consulates located in various countries around the globe.

Security Force duty is among the most challenging the Corps offers, and Marines who take on this opportunity must be highly-trained in advanced security procedures. Our Nation places special trusts in these Marines, as they are assigned the responsibility of maintaining a worldwide presence, guarding and protecting key naval assets and special strategic weapons.

MARINE CORPS SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND

Ready to stand on the frontline of any battle, the Marine Raiders of MARSOC are built up in their Corps ethos, warfighting philosophy and values and represent the Marine Corps contribution to the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Two of the prominent roles within the Marine Raider community include Critical Skills Operators, who support the full spectrum of special operations on a global scale, and Special Operations Capability Specialists, who provide combat support expertise in intelligence, fire support, communications, EOD, and canine operations.

Gain direct access to a Marine Recruiter who has fought alongside Marines and is prepared to show you how to become one.

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