• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

US Military

  • Branches
    • Army
    • Navy
    • Air Force
    • Marine Corps
    • Coast Guard
    • National Guard
    • Air National Guard
    • Find A Recruiter
  • Find A Recruiter
  • Military Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • VA Loans
    • Military Scholarships
    • Military Friendly Colleges
    • Money
  • Jobs
    • Military Pay Chart
    • Veteran Jobs
    • Civilian Jobs
  • VA Loan Rates
  • Military News
    • Top News
    • Benefits
    • Careers
    • Education
    • Featured Columnists
      • Larry Fowler
      • Scott Ostrow
      • Kim Lengling
      • Dr. Sasha Toperich
      • Rick Stewart
  • USM Shop
  • GI Bill
  • VA Loans
  • Military Scholarships
  • Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities in America

Busting the Myth of Low Paid Soldiers in the US Military

October 6, 2016 By larryf

One of the great myths on the US Military is that the defenders of our freedom are poorly paid. While that might have been true back in the 70s, in order to improve the recruit quality the military pay has been boosted significantly, especially after President Obama signed the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act. According to the new rules, base military pay across all service branches will be the same and will be based on a soldier?s rank and time spent in service, but military personnel also get to take advantage of additional pay if they operate in special situations.

Other Job-Related Pay

There are members of the military who receive additional pay due to the nature of their duties. The following are some examples of the extra pay that soldiers could receive during service.
Sea Pay ? Soldiers who carry out their duties at sea are entitled to a special monthly military pay apart from the basic salary, which is called ?Career Sea Pay?. The current $100 career sea pay premium has been doubled to $200, so all sailors, both those who are enlisted as well as officers who have three or more years of total career sea duty under their belt will be eligible to receive a sea pay increase by 25 percent. The Career Sea Pay is given to sailors in recognition of the extraordinary circumstances in which they are required to perform their duties, while staying for months out at sea. This monthly amount is determined by the Secretary and cannot exceed an amount of $350.

Hazardous Duty Pay

Back in the 1960’s, airborne paratroopers on jump status were given $55 dollars per month. That amount has been upgraded since then. Today, service members who are under orders to perform hazardous duties such as parachute jumping, operate in toxic environments carry out demolition of explosives or other dangerous duties are entitles to a Hazardous Duty Pay of $150 per month, and $225 per month if they are to carry out HALO or High Altitude Low Opening jumps. Most jumps are made between 10,000ft and 13,000ft, HALO jumps are carried out at altitudes between 28,000ft and 35,060ft. Military careers like the Navy SEALS are prime example of those who receive hazardous duty pay.

Flight Pay

Although it is often referred to as ?Light Pay? there isn?t a specific type of flight pay since it is a generic term which is used to describe the extra military pay given as an incentive to those who perform various military flight related duties. Payment amounts vary according to duties.

Diving Duty Pay

Normally, divers are designated by order, assignment and the amount of training they?ve had. But, in certain situations, members of the Army or Air Force are also required to carry out diving duties in which case they are entitled to an allowance. Military personnel are entitled to Diving Duty Pay of up to $240 for officers, and can go up to $340 for enlisted members in the armed forces. This special military pay is usually paid every month.

Submarine Duty Pay

Sailors are also entitled to a Submarine Duty Pay if they have been assigned to a submarine. Currently, Submarine Duty Incentive Pay for O-7 through O-10 is around $355, which may vary according to the mission and other factors.

One of the great myths on the US military is that the defenders of our freedom are poorly paid. While that might have been true back in the 70s, in order to improve the recruit quality the military pay has been boosted significantly, especially after President Obama signed the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act. According to the new rules, base military pay across all service branches will be the same and will be based on a soldier?s rank and time spent in service, but military personnel also get to take advantage of additional pay if they operate in special situations.

Other Job-Related Pay

There are members of the military who receive additional pay due to the nature of their duties. The following are some examples of the extra pay that soldiers could receive during service.

Sea Pay

Soldiers who carry out their duties at sea are entitled to a special monthly military pay apart from the basic salary, which is called ?Career Sea Pay?. The current $100 career sea pay premium has been doubled to $200, so all sailors, both those who are enlisted as well as officers who have three or more years of total career sea duty under their belt will be eligible to receive a sea pay increase by 25 percent. The Career Sea Pay is given to sailors in recognition of the extraordinary circumstances in which they are required to perform their duties, while staying for months out at sea. This monthly amount is determined by the Secretary and cannot exceed an amount of $350.

Hazardous Duty Pay

Back in the 1960’s, airborne paratroopers on jump status were given $55 dollars per month. That amount has been upgraded since then. Today, service members who are under orders to perform hazardous duties such as parachute jumping, operate in toxic environments carry out demolition of explosives or other dangerous duties are entitles to a Hazardous Duty Pay of $150 per month, and $225 per month if they are to carry out HALO or High Altitude Low Opening jumps. Most jumps are made between 10,000 ft and 13,000 ft, HALO jumps are carried out at altitudes between 28,000 ft and 35,060 ft.

Flight Pay

Although it is often referred to as ?Light Pay? there isn?t a specific type of flight pay since it is a generic term which is used to describe the extra military pay given as an incentive to those who perform various military flight related duties. Payment amounts vary according to duties.

Diving Duty Pay

Normally, divers are designated by order, assignment and the amount of training they?ve had. But, in certain situations, members of the Army or Air Force are also required to carry out diving duties in which case they are entitled to an allowance. Military personnel are entitled to Diving Duty Pay of up to $240 for officers, and can go up to $340 for enlisted members in the armed forces. This special military pay is usually paid every month.

Submarine Duty Pay

Sailors are also entitled to a Submarine Duty Pay if they have been assigned to a submarine. Currently, Submarine Duty Incentive Pay for O-7 through O-10 is around $355, which may vary according to the mission and other factors.

Filed Under: Articles, Careers, mostpopular, Navy Seal, Top News

[related_posts_by_tax format="thumbnails" limit_posts="100" image_size="sidebar-thumbnail" public_only="true" posts_per_page="6"]

Primary Sidebar

USMilitary.com Career Guide

Sign up to receive USMilitary.com email updates and to hear what's going on with all military branches!

Featured Columnists

Larry Fowler

Larry Fowler is the publisher of USMilitary.com Network one of America's premier privately owned

Autobiography Compares Living Faithfully With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).

Scott Ostrow

Lt Col (Dr.) Scott A. Ostrow retired from the Air Force in September 2005 and has been teaching

Must Read: The Truth About The ASVAB Test Prep From The Man Who Wrote The Book

Kim Lengling

Kim Lengling is a Air Force Veteran whose passion is to help support veterans and their

The Moving Wall: Women Who Paid The Ultimate Price For Their Country

Dr. Sasha Toperich

Dr. Sasha Toperich is the Senior Executive Vice President at Transatlantic Leadership

Sarraj’s Dangerous Dance With Power

Rick Stewart

Rick Stewart is a former United States Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)

Announcing American Patriots Unsung Magazine

Nathan B. Nelson

Capt (ret) Nathan B. Nelson is the Director of Military Affairs for the 1st Congressional district

Three Critical Considerations for Every Veteran Prior to Leaving Active Duty

Laquan Daniels

Laquan Daniel is a military recruiting expert with over 17 years of specialized experience in the

Important News For Military Transitioning Veterans

Veteran Buzz

Hire Military Veterans

Which Companies Are Most Likely to Hire Military Veterans?

July 30, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

5 High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

July 2, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High Paying Jobs Not Requiring a Degree

June 28, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

Footer

  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write For US
  • Link to Us

Recent

  • Apache Attack Helicopter Pilot: To Maintain a Watchful Eye, “Above the Best”
  • A Few Benefits You May Not be Aware of As a Military Child
  • Experts Predict Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Warfare
  • Autobiography Compares Living Faithfully With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).
  • The Unraveled Pandemic Of Navy SEAL Posers

Search

© Copyright 2021 USMillitary
Web Design by Goebel Media Group


THIS IS A PRIVATE WEBSITE THAT IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, U.S. ARMED FORCES, OR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE NOT REVIEWED THIS INFORMATION. THIS SITE IS NOT CONNECTED WITH ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

​Tips
Discounts
News

​

​

Join the USMilitary.com Newsletter Today!

By subscribing you agree to our terms & conditions

x