Troops in combat zones can now get a maximum of $450 per month in hostile fire pay, or as much as $275 per month in imminent danger pay. This week, new combat pay amounts went into effect, as the war with Iran stretches on.
The new stipends, announced by the Department of Defense on Oct. 1, are the first increases to special combat pay since 2002. The increased pay rates went into effect on Thursday, which was the start of the new fiscal year.
The new policy doubles the amount of hostile fire pay troops can receive, and increases the maximum amount of Imminent Danger Pay by $50. The pay was outlined in a July 14 memorandum from Timothy Dill, the assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs.
“Those who face combat deserve higher compensation that reflects the risks that they willingly undertake on behalf of our nation,” Undersecretary of Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata said in a statement on Oct. 1. “Raising imminent danger and hostile fire pays for the first time in two decades is a step toward recognizing that sacrifice.”
Tens of thousands of U.S. personnel remain deployed in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The military has rotated out some units — most notably carrier strike groups on extended tours — and extended the deployments of other forces.
The Defense Department had explored raising the amount of combat pay troops can get earlier this year, but that was waiting on Congressional approval. This spring, when the increase was proposed, the higher stipend amounts were said to be “aimed at recruiting and retaining warfighters.”
Troops can receive hostile fire pay if their base or unit is attacked by hostile forces, or if they are wounded by hostile fire or explosions. If a commander authorizes it, troops are given a lump sum of $ 450 for the month.
Imminent danger pay is given to troops if they are in a location that is “subject to the threat of physical harm or imminent danger based on civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism, or wartime conditions in a designated foreign area.” Under the new rates, it is prorated to $9.16 per day.
As in the past, troops cannot receive both types of combat pay in the same month.
Soon after the war with Iran started, the Defense Department expanded the list of locations eligible for imminent danger pay to cover areas where troops were supporting Operation Epic Fury. Those new additions include the Indian Ocean, Diego Garcia, the Arabian Sea and bases in several Middle Eastern countries.
Alongside the combat pay increases, the Pentagon is decreasing hardship duty pay-location from $150 per month to $100 per month, citing policy for maximum amounts allowed to be paid out.
According to the Defense Casualty Analysis System, 861 troops have been wounded in the war since Feb. 28, and 19 have died. More than half of those wounded were injured since July 7. The majority of casualties are from the Army.
