WASHINGTON –
Some U.S. Army Soldiers receiving special duty assignment pay, or SDAP, are now seeing an increase in payments or seeing it for the first time, while others will soon see less.
About 4,000 fewer Soldiers will be eligible for SDAP under changes announced in an All Army Activities message, ALARACT 308, dated Nov. 21, 2013. However, about 27,000 Soldiers will still receive the special pay, according to Army G-1 officials.
Sgt. Maj. Allen Clifton, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, explained the changes.
"As the Army moves into a more resource-constrained environment, we must fully evaluate each of our compensation programs by weighing total costs and benefits of the current programs," said Clifton. "The Army regards SDAP as a valuable tool to encourage Soldiers to volunteer to perform extremely demanding duties or duties demanding an unusual degree of responsibility. The decision to restructure SDAP was not taken lightly and we spent significant time evaluating all relevant factors with the understanding that our final decision would affect Soldiers and their families."
There are six SDAP pay bands:
- SD1 - $75
- SD2 - $150
- SD3 - $225
- SD4 - $300
- SD5 - $375
- SD6 - $450
New/Increased SDAP
All new SDAP and increased SDAP changes took effect Nov. 1.
Soldiers previously not eligible but now eligible for SDAP are those serving as Rangers, E-5 and above (SD-2 or SD-4, the higher band serving with 75th Rangers); Ranger or Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leader Course instructors (SD-2); and nominative sergeants major rated by general officers or senior executive service equivalents (SD-1 to SD-4, with SD-1 serving under a brigadier general and SD-4 serving under a general).
Reduced SDAP
Some SD pay bands reflect reductions, which will take effect Feb. 1, 2014. However, if a Soldier's SDAP level was reduced to an amount that is less than 50 percent of their current SDAP amount, then that Soldier is eligible for the half rate for 12 months.
SDAP will decrease for non-commissioned officers assigned to the recruiting force (SD-4) and White House support activities (SD-1 to SD-4, depending on duties and assignments).
Other reductions are for squad leaders and platoon sergeants serving in warrior transition units, (all SD-3). Also reduced are Criminal Investigation Division special agents (SD-2), technical escort unit Soldiers (SD-2), air traffic controllers (SD-2) and foreign attaché NCOs (SD-1 to SD-2).
No change in SDAP
SDAP will remain at its current level for Soldiers serving in certain special operations units (SD-2 to SD-6) and for command sergeants major rated by general officers or senior executive service equivalents (SD-1 to SD-4, with SD-1 serving under a brigadier general and SD-4 serving under a general).
Eliminated SDAP
No SDAP will be awarded to Soldiers assigned to the Defense Courier Service, On-site Inspection and Defense Threat Reduction Agencies or to those serving as career counselors, transition NCOs and those assigned in recruiting support functions above the battalion level.
Terminations of SDAP will take effect Feb. 1, 2015. Partial termination of SDAP will take effect Feb. 1, 2014, when SDAP will be reduced by 50 percent.
SDAP Eligibility
Enlisted Soldiers are eligible for SDAP when one or more of three conditions are met:
The duty is physically, psychologically and/or cognitively extremely demanding; the duty carries with it a greater-than-normal degree of responsibility for the Soldier's rank and experience; or the duty requires special qualifications that are met through rigorous screening or special schooling.
Additionally, Soldiers eligible for SDAP must meet all of the following four requirements:
- On active duty receiving basic pay or is a reserve component member on individual duty training and entitled to compensation under Section 206 of Title 37.
- Serving in pay grade E-3 or higher.
- Completed the special schooling or equivalent on-the-job training required for the SDAP assignment.
- Certified as qualified for and is actually serving in an authorized duty assignment designated for the award of SDAP.
For more informaiton, visit the special duty assignment pay chart:
https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/SPECIAL%20DUTY%20ASSIGNMENT%20PAY%20SDAP