Military Special Pays

In addition to standard military pay, different branches of the armed forces offer extra pay for service personnel who hold special skills; have advanced training in medicine, foreign languages, or the operation of sophisticated equipment; and for those who are placed in harm's way.

Aviation Pays

A range of aviation pays is available for personnel in the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Army. Incentive programs like the Aviation Career Incentive, Aviation Continuation, Career Enlisted Flying Incentive Pay, and Crew Member and Air Weapon Controller Flying Duty provide increased pay.

Diving Pays

Divers and combat divers on active duty receive additional pay for the risks associated with their occupations. Service members in the Army and Navy who reach the rank of Master Divers receive the highest enlisted monthly diving pay.

Foreign Language Proficiency Pay

Service personnel in all branches of the military who are certified as proficient in a foreign language may be eligible to receive additional pay. Conditions for receiving foreign language pay include current need for the language as well as the candidate's military specialty.

Hardship Duty Pay (HDP)

Military personnel can receive hardship duty pay for specific locations (HDP-L) or for specific missions (HDP-M). Typically, hardship duty pay is not authorized to service personnel who are permanent residents in the designated hardship duty area.

Hazardous Duty Pay

Service personnel who routinely are assigned to jobs with high risk may be eligible for hazardous duty pay. Occupation specialties include parachute jumping, flight deck operations, demolitions, and handling of toxic chemicals and munitions.

Imminent Danger Pay and Hostile Fire Pay

Military personnel who serve in locations where they are in "imminent danger" or those who face "hostile fire" in a foreign country receive additional pay. Designated areas and locations can change for these monthly pay increases.

Medical and Dental Special Pays

Selected reservists who are called to active duty and other military officers in medical, dental as well as other board-certified specialties may qualify for additional pay.

Special Pay for Nuclear Power Officers

Naval officers may be eligible for a two-part accession bonus if they 1) are selected for and accept naval nuclear power training and 2) successfully complete Naval Nuclear Officer Training. Nuclear qualified officers may also be eligible for an annual incentive bonus and continuation pay for extending active-duty commitments.

Sea and Submarine Duty Pay

Any service member assigned permanently or temporarily to ship or ship-based squadron duty may qualify for sea pay. A Sea Pay Premium is available for serving 36 consecutive months.