special duty assignment pay army

MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Special Duty Assignment Pay

If you are an enlisted member who is entitled to basic pay and are performing duties which have been designated as extremely difficult or involving an unusual degree of responsibility in a military skill, you may, in addition to other pay or allowances to which you are entitled, be paid special duty assignment pay. Examples of these jobs include parachuting instructors, fuel specialists and combat controllers.

The following table reflects the most recent DOD changes to SDAP:

Eligibility Requirements Enlisted members serving in pay grade E-3 or higher are eligible for Special Duty Assignment Pay. Officers/Warrant Officers are not eligible for Special Duty Assignment Pay. Eligibility is contingent on meeting the basic requirements and those provided by specific service regulations. Special Duty Assignment Pay replaces Proficiency Pay; therefore, only one or the other may be paid to a member for a given period.

• Enlisted members of the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force are authorized to receive SDAP when on a second or subsequent enlisted term of service; and first term person who is serving in an enlistment, an enlistment is extended, or an extension of an enlistment that will total 6 or more years of service.
• Enlisted members of the Navy are authorized SDAP when on second or subsequent terms of active duty enlisted service and first term personnel who are serving in an enlistment, an enlistment as extended, or an extension of enlistment that will total 7 or more years of active service.
• Enlisted members of the Reserve Components must be assigned to a duty position characterized by extremely demanding duties or duties demanding an unusual degree of responsibility. Appropriate authorities must annually review the enlisted member’s eligibility to receive either proficiency pay or special duty assignment pay.

Rates Payable Special Duty Assignment Pay is broken into six pay rates ranging from $55.00 to $375.00 per month. Each military branch assigns those rates to specific duty specialties and assignments.

• Help for Veterans
• Debt Relief for Service Members & Veterans
• Guides for Military Pay
• Military Discounts
• Insurance Options for the Military
• Education Benefits
• Retirement Planning
• Credit Reports & Scores
• Military Family Life
• Career Paths
• Housing Options

• Special and Incentive Pay

Written by: Maureen Milliken

Home » Military Pay » Special and Incentive Pay

Everyone in the military gets basic pay that is determined by their rank and length of service. But there are plenty of opportunities to make extra money.

Military members of all ranks and positions can be eligible for special and incentive pay (S&I). There are more than 60 authorized Special and Incentive Pay codes.

S&I covers everything from hazardous duty pay, dangerous jobs, those with more responsibility, tours in combat zones, working with hazardous materials and more. But it also offers incentives to acquire training or learn a new job, or, if you’re in a profession that’s lucrative in the civilian world, to stay in the military for a few years or for a career.

Specific skills – like fluency in a foreign language – can open up special military pay opportunities.

Congress sets maximum amounts for S&I. In 2008, it established broader categories, which allow the military flexibility to adjust payment levels and eligibility criteria.

Who Is Eligible for Special and Incentive Pay?

Special and Incentive Pay opportunities are open to active-duty enlisted military members, even those who have just joined, as well as officers. Some S&I codes are exclusive to certain branches of the military or have varying requirements, depending on the branch.

There is pay specific to medical professions, being on a combat tour, being assigned to a less-than-desirable area and more. Dangerous jobs, like parachuting, diving or working on a submarine also get special pay.

All of the specific codes under the law that allows Special Pay and Incentives have their own eligibility requirements.

What Types of Special and Incentive Pay Are Available?

Special and Incentive Pay is monthly, and ranges from skilled jobs – such as Medical Special Pay – to assignments that increase skill or proficiency, to special pay for hazardous or arduous work. There is also pay for jobs that are difficult to fill – nurses, dentists, optometrists, veterinarians – as well as pay designed to retain personnel.

Hazardous duty pay helps ensure the U.S. interests abroad and at home are protected, by giving special incentives to those who must serve in combat zones or do jobs that could be dangerous.

Some pay is for long-term duties, some is temporary. Some is offered only by certain branches of the service. Each type has its own pay grades and requirements, which are all listed in the U.S. Department of Defense Special Pays and Incentives Index .

The general categories are:

• Hazardous Incentive Pay

Medical Special Pay

Retention incentive pay, career incentive pay.

• Assignment Pay

Accession Pay

Responsibility pay.

• Skill Conversion and Transfer Pay

Arduous Duty Pay

• Proficiency Incentive

Rehabilitation Pay

Let’s take a closer look.

Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP)

There are many voluntary HDIP assignments. Some have a pay cap, some a flat amount and some have a range based on grade, assignment and more.

Top HDIP pay:

• Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger: $225
• Flying, Crew: $110-$250 (grade-based)
• Parachute: $150, high-altitude $250

$150 flat pay duties:

• Flying, Non-Crew
• Pressure Chamber; Acceleration, Deceleration; Thermal Stress
• Flight Deck
• Toxic Pesticides/Dangerous Organisms Personal Exposure
• Toxic Fuel/Propellants, Chemical Munitions Exposure
• Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) – Maritime Interdiction Operations (Navy only)

Medical special pay helps retain medical personnel who could easily make more money as civilians – it covers regular special pay, special pay for becoming certified, retention bonuses and more:

• Multi-year Medical Officer Retention Bonus: Up to $75,000 yearly, four-year agreement
• Multi-year Dental Officer Retention Bonus: Up to $50,000, four-year agreement
• Medical Officer Variable: $1,200-$12,000 yearly
• Medical Officer Additional: $15,000
• Medical Officers Board Certification: $2,500-$6,000 yearly
• Medical Officer Incentive: $75,000, 12-month agreement
• Optometrists Regular: $100 a month
• Optometrists Retention: Up to $!5,000, 12-month agreement
• Dental Officer Variable: $3,000-$12,000 yearly
• Dental Officer Additional: $10,000-$15,000 yearly
• Dental Officer Board Certification: $2,500-$6,000 yearly
• Dental Officer Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Incentive: up to $75,000, 12-month agreement
• Nonphysician Health Care Providers Board Certification: $2,000-$5,000 yearly
• Registered Nurse Accession Bonus: Up to $30,000, minimum three-year agreement
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Incentive: Up to $50,000, 12-month agreement
• Dental Officer Accession Bonus: Up to $200,000, minimum four-year agreement
• Pharmacy Officer Retention: Up to $15,000 for 12 months
• Pharmacy Officer Accession Bonus: Up to $30,000, four-year minimum agreement
• Accession Bonus for Medical/Dental Officers in Critically Short Wartime Specialties: Up to $400,000
• Veterinary Corps Officer: $100 monthly
• Veterinary Corps Officer Board Certified: $2,000-$5,000 yearly

Retention Incentive Pay aims to keep service members with in-demand skills in the military. Figures listed here are a maximum, and amount depends on many factors:

• Aviation Continuation: $25,000 yearly
• Selective Reenlistment Bonus: $40,000
• Nuclear Officers Extending Period of Active Duty: $30,000 yearly, minimum 3-year agreement
• Nuclear Career Annual Incentive Bonus: $22,000 (commissioned officers), $14,000 (limited duty officers)
• Special Warfare Officer Continuation: $15,000 yearly
• Surface Warfare Officer Continuation: $50,000 yearly
• Judge Advocate Continuation: $60,000 paid over career
• Critical Skills Retention (Assignment to High Priority Unit) Bonus: $60,000

Career Incentive Pay seeks to keep skilled personnel in crucial jobs in the service for their entire career. There’s a wide range in the monthly pay for each, depending on years of service, grade and more.

Pay codes are:

• Aviation: $125-$850
• Submarine Duty: $75-$835
• Diving Duty: $340 (max. enlisted); $240 (max. officers)
• Career Sea: $50-$150
• Career Enlisted Flyer Incentive: $150-$400

Assignment Incentive Pay

Assignment Incentive Pay encourages those in less desirable locations or in combat zones to extend their tour.

Involuntary extensions in combat zones pay up to $800 monthly. Voluntary extensions range from $300-$900 a month. Those with critical intelligence skills get up to $1,000 a month. The maximum allowed by law is $3,000 a month.

Accession bonuses and incentives are designed to encourage military personnel, or those enlisting, to become officers.

• Enlistment Bonus – $40,00 maximum
• Nuclear Officer Accession Bonus – $30,000 maximum
• Accession Bonus for New Officers in Critical Skills – $60,000 maximum
• Accession Bonus for Members Appointed as a Commissioned Officer after Completing Officer Candidate School – $20,000 maximum
• Officers Holding Positions of Unusual Responsibility – The Navy rewards sea service at $50-$750 a month. Other military branches may set rates as well.
• Special Duty Assignment Pay for Enlisted Members – Assignments with responsibility above pay grade, including special operations forces, production recruiter, White House Communications Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency and more, get $75-$450 monthly.

Skills Conversion and Transfer Pay

• Incentive Bonus for Conversion to Military Occupational Specialty to Ease Personnel Shortage – For members who convert to an occupational specialty that has a shortage of qualified personnel, with minimum 3-year commitment. Rate is discretionary.
• Incentive Bonus for Transfer Between Armed Forces – Up to $10,000 to transfer between military branches, with minimum 3-year commitment.

Hardship Pay -Quality of Life and Hardship Pay-Location is for those whose assignment is where living conditions are substantially below the standard most members would generally experience in the U.S. Pay is $50-$150 monthly.

Hardship Pay-Mission is for those who recover the remains of service members lost in past wars, and is $150.

• Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program (OTEIP)

The Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program (OTEIP) rewards personnel for extending an overseas assignment. If your duty station or job field qualifies you for OTEIP, you can receive additional pay or benefits for agreeing to extend an overseas assignment by at least 12 months.

Proficiency Incentive Pay

Being fluent in a foreign language – or doing the work to be – pays off big time for members of the military through the Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus. Those who become proficient, or work to increase proficiency, can get up to $12,000 for a 12-month certification period.

Members of the armed forces injured in the line of duty in a combat zone who have to be evacuated for medical treatment get $430 a month. It terminates when they start getting benefits from other military disability programs, or if they are no longer being treated for the injury.

Can Special and Incentive Pay Change?

Special and Incentive Pay amounts, as well as categories, change frequently. Congress used to be in charge of changing the requirements, eligibility, pay grades and more, but that got unwieldy. Now, the basic framework is there, and Congress votes on it every two years year as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which funds the military. It is up to the secretary of each branch of the military to set specifics and decide if the special pay will be offered.

Some special pay and incentives have ceilings way above what is currently being paid, so there’s room to increase it. For instance, Special Duty Assignment Pay can be as high as $600 a month under the law, but currently pays between $75 and $450. Navy submarine pay can go as high as $1,000 a month, but is capped at $950 (and that’s only for two pay grades with at least 18 years’ experience).

Changes in the location of combat can mean changes to Assignment Pay Incentive and Hardship Pay Incentive. That goes for Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger Pay as well – the U.S. Department of Defense keeps an up-to-date list of where this pay applies.

Some categories – for instance regular pay incentive for optometrists, at $100 a month – haven’t changed since they were instituted.

Changes generally kick in on Jan. 1.

7 MINUTE READ

Check Today's VA Home Loan Rates

• Military Pay
• USAA Military Pay Schedule
• Military Reserve Pay Chart
• Military Bonuses
• Military Signing Bonus
• What Is myPay?
• Selective Retention Bonus (SRB)
• Best Banks and Credit Unions for the Military
• Filing Taxes When a Military Member Is Deployed
• Retired Military Pay
• COLA Military Retirement Pay
• The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) for Service Members
• 14 Financial Planning Tips for the Military
• Hardship Duty Pay
• How a Government Shutdown Affects Military Pay & Benefits
• Side Jobs for Active Duty Military

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.

Special Pay and Incentive Pay for the Military

Julie Provost

Military Special Pays and Incentive Pays

Table of Contents

As a service member, you will receive different types of pay during the course of your military career. There is your base military pay , BAH for your housing , and BAS for food. There are also different special and incentive pays, over 60 of them which you may or may not qualify over the course of your military career.

Some of these pays are only for certain branches, and others you might never qualify for. Many of these pays are to help induce service members into the types of duty involved.

Accession Pay

Enlistment bonus (eb).

When you enlist in the armed forces. This is a discretionary bonus. The maximum amount by law is $40,000.

Nuclear Officer Accession Bonus

To encourage people to join the Navy’s nuclear power officer community. This is for the Navy. The maximum amount, by law, is $30,000 .

Accession Bonus for New Officers in Critical Skills

For an individual who agrees to accept a commission and serve on active duty in designated critical skills for the period specified in the agreement. This is discretionary pay. Service Secretaries have the authority to offer up to $60,000.

Arduous Duty

Hardship duty pay.

For those serving in areas that are designated as a hardship by the Secretary of Defence. There are two types; Quality of Life (QoL) Hardship Locations (HDP-L), and for those in designated hardship missions (HDP-M.) Locations are designated as hardship duty locations if the QoL in the area is substantially below the standard most service members would generally experience in the United States. This is discretionary pay. The maximum payable by law is $1,500 a month. Monthly rates are $50, $100, and $150 for HDP-L, and $150 for HDP-M.

Assignment Pay

Assignment incentive pay.

Incentive pay to service members that perform service while entitled to basic pay in an assignment designated by the Secretary concerned. For difficult-to-fill jobs or assignments in less desirable locations. This is discretionary pay. The monthly  statutory maximum pay is $3,000.

Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Pay (OTEIP)

For service members that are in certain critical skill classifications that extend their tour overseas for the convenience of the Government. The law authorizes payment monthly, or pay up to $80 as well as an annual bonus not to exceed $2,000 per year.

Career Incentive Pay

Aviation career incentive pay (acip).

Incentive pay for officers to serve as military aviators throughout a military career. This is entitlement pay. $125-$400 a month, depending on the years of aviation service as an officer.

  Career Sea Pay (CSP)

Career Sea Pay is for active duty enlisted service members or commissioned officers on sea duty. There is also Career Sea Pay Premium which is for those who have served more than 36 consecutive months of sea duty. This is entitlement pay. Between $50-$730 for the Navy, and other amounts for other branches. 

Career Enlisted Flyer Incentive Pay (CEFIP)

Incentive pay to serve throughout your military career as an enlisted flyer. This is discretionary pay, for only the Air Force and Navy. Monthly maximums are $150-$400 dependent on years of aviation service.

Diving Duty Pay

An incentive for diving duty and to compensate divers for the more than normal dangerous character of this type of duty. This is entitlement pay, and rates are set by Services with statutory caps. Up to $340 a month for enlisted and $240 a month for officers.

Submarine Duty Incentive Pay (SUBPAY)

Incentive pay for submarine duty and to compensate for the more than normal arduous character of this type of duty. This is entitlement pay. The Secretary of the Navy may set the SUBPAY rates within a statutory cap of $1,000 a month. The current rates are $98-950 a month.

Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP)

These are entitlement pays, payable to enlisted members and officers.

Flight Deck Duty Pay

For more than normal dangerous flight deck duty. $150 per month.

Flying Duty, Crew Members

For performing a hazardous duty that involves frequent and regular aerial flight as a crew member. $110 to $250 per month and is determined by grade.

Flying Duty, Non-Crew Members

For performing a hazardous duty that involves frequent and regular aerial flight as a non-crew member. $150 per month.

Parachute Duty Pay

For performing a hazardous duty that involves jumping and parachute duty. $150 a month, except for High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) jumps which are $225 a month.

Pressure Chamber Duty Pay, Acceleration and Deceleration Duty Pay, and Thermal Stress Duty Pay

Hazardous duty pay is related to participation as a human test subject in low and high pressure, acceleration or deceleration, or thermal stress chambers. $150 a month.

Toxic Pesticides Personal Exposure

Hazardous duty involving frequent and regular exposure to highly toxic pesticides. $150 a month.

Toxic Fuel/Propellants and Chemical Munitions Exposure Duty Pay

For more than normal dangerous duty which entails exposure to toxic fuels or propellants, or chemical munitions. $150 a month.

Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) – Maritime Interdiction Operations

Hazardous duty that involves regular participation as a member of a team conducting VBSS operations aboard vessels that are in support of maritime interdiction operations. Only Navy service members perform this time of duty. $150 a month.

Proficiency

Foreign language proficiency bonus (flpb).

An incentive for service members to become proficient, to increase their proficiency in foreign languages that will enhance the foreign language capabilities of the armed forces. This is discretionary pay. The law authorizes a bonus of up to $100-$500.

Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP)

To help retain experienced officer aviators that have completed their Active Duty Service Obligation (ADSO) to remain on active duty for a specified period of additional service. For aviators in grade O-6. This is discretionary pay. Up to $25,000 for each year of service agreement, through 25 years of aviation service.

Critical Skills Retention Bonus (CSRB) or Bonus for Assignment to High Priority Unit

To help address skill-specific retention problems. This is discretionary pay. Up to $200,000 total, $100,000 for the reserve component is payable to an eligible member during their career.

Judge Advocate Continuation Pay (JACP)

For military Judge Advocates to continue on active duty upon completion of their ADSO. This is discretionary pay. This is for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Marine Corps pays a Law School Education Debt Subsidy (LSEDS) under the JACP statutory authority. Up to $60,000 pay over the Judge Advocate’s career.

Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB)

When qualified enlisted service members reenlist in designated critical military specialties where the retention levels are insufficient to sustain a steady readiness posture to complete the mission. This is discretionary pay. Maximum payable is $90,000 for a minimum three-year reenlistment.

Nuclear Officers Extending Period of Active Duty

For Nuclear-qualified Navy officers to continue on active duty upon completion of obligated service. For the Navy. The maximum pay per law is $30,000 for each year of a minimum 3-year active service agreement.

Nuclear Career Annual Incentive Bonus

Incentive for Nuclear-qualified Navy officers to continue on active duty upon completion of obligated service. For the Navy. The maximum pay is $22,000 to commissioned officers, and $14,000 to Limited Duty officers (LDOs.)

Special Warfare Officer Continuation Pay

For qualified, experienced Special Warfare Officers to remain on active duty beyond their initial ADSO. This is discretionary pay. For the Navy. Up to $15,000 per year to eligible officers.

Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) Continuation Pay

For SWOs that are selected for Department Head (DH) and agree to remain on active duty to complete that tour. This is discretionary pay. For the Navy. Up to $50,000 to eligible officers.

Responsibility

Officers holding positions of unusual responsibility.

To financially recognize officers executing the duties of a position the Service Secretary has designated as: 1) carrying unusual responsibilities above those normal for officers of the same grade, and 2) critical to the operations of the Service concerned. This is discretionary pay and only for the Navy. The current range is $50-$150/month.

Special Duty Assignment Pay for Enlisted Members

For enlisted members who qualify for, volunteer to serve in, or remain in, designated positions with duties that are extremely difficult, or that carry an unusual degree of responsibility when compared to the typical jobs of service members of the same grade level. This is discretionary pay. The maximum amount by law is $600 a month. The current range being paid in SDAP is between $75 and $450 a month.

Skill Conversion

Incentive bonus for conversion to military occupational specialty to ease personnel shortage.

For service members to convert to and serve for a period of not less than three years in a military occupational specialty that has a shortage of trained and qualified personnel. This is discretionary pay. For the Army.

Transfer between services

Incentive bonus for transfer between armed forces.

Incentive pay for transferring from one armed force to another and serving at least three years in the new component. This is discretionary pay. For the Army. $10,000.

• Military Pay Chart 2024
• 22 Medical Special and Incentive Pays for Military

Featured Posts

• Find Your Next Base: List of Military Installations by State
• Military Benefits Guide
• TRICARE Basics
• GI Bill Benefits Guide
• Guide to Private Life Insurance for the Military
• VA Home Loan Benefits Guide
• Naval Base San Diego Guide
• Los Angeles Air Force Base Guide
• Marine Corps Base Quantico Guide

Recent Posts

• Advance Auto Parts Military Discount
• VA Warns Veterans About Disability Benefits Fraud
• Free Paris Olympics Streaming On NBC For Military Communities
• Junior Enlisted to Get Economic Hardship Bonuses
• Department of Veterans Affairs Drops MyHealtheVet and DS Logon
• Applying for VA Healthcare Benefits
• VA Health Care Benefits for Active Duty Service Members
• VA Bariatric Surgery Options for Veterans
• VA Home Loans for National Guard Members
• Lawmakers Urge VA to Keep Community Medical Care Options

Most Popular Articles

• Costco Military Discount
• COLA to Increase 5.9% for Retirees, Disabled Veterans in 2022
• Fly for Less: Military Discount Flights for Veterans & Military
• Lowe’s Military Discount for Military and Veterans
• Disneyland Military Discount
• Military Discounts on Golfing & Golf Gear
• Waves of Honor: Discounted Admission for Military & Veterans
• Disney World Military Discount
• Free TSA PreCheck for Military
• Sam’s Club Military Offer

House Armed Services Committee Approves 19.5% Military Pay Raise Plan for 2025

Read More 411 WORDS

Compromise Defense Budget for 2024 Includes 5.2% Pay Raise for Military

Read More 415 WORDS

Government Shutdown Averted For Now: Congress Passes Continuing Resolution

Read More 861 WORDS

Find VA Approved Colleges that Accept Military & Veteran Benefits

Get Started

Search nearly 3000 VA-approved school profiles to find your perfect fit

• Cover Letters
• Jobs I've Applied To
• Saved Searches
• Subscriptions

Marine Corps

Coast guard.

• Space Force
• Military Podcasts
• Benefits Home
• Military Pay and Money
• Veteran Health Care
• VA eBenefits
• Veteran Job Search
• Military Skills Translator
• Upload Your Resume
• Veteran Employment Project
• Vet Friendly Employers
• Career Advice
• Military Life Home
• Military Trivia Game
• Veterans Day
• Spouse & Family
• Military History
• Discounts Home
• Featured Discounts
• Veterans Day Restaurant Discounts
• Electronics
• Join the Military Home
• Contact a Recruiter
• Military Fitness

Volunteer or Voluntold: Marines Announce Special Duty Assignment Campaign for Active Reserves

The Marine Corps announced a campaign Wednesday to draw certain Marines into special duty assignments, an annual push to fill some of its most critical jobs.

The campaign is aimed at Active Reserve Marines, a small component within the Corps that serves full-time in the reserves and provides support for reserve units. According to the service, those troops also help integrate the reserve component into the rest of the Marine Corps.

The service will use the campaign, which was announced via an administrative message last week, to fill recruiter , drill instructor and combat instructor roles with volunteers from the Active Reserve component. If not enough volunteers apply for the positions by the end of February, the service will begin assigning Active Reserve Marines to them.

Read Next: Troops Will Start Getting Economic Hardship Bonuses This Month, Though Only $20 on Average

Special duty assignments, or SDAs, are jobs that fall outside of a Marine's primary duty. As all the services face recruiting woes, recruiter duty has proven to be a critical job for the Corps, one that it has commonly found difficult to fill.

"Historically, recruiting duty has been the most challenging special duty assignment (SDA) billet to fill -- with drill instructor duty being the least difficult," 1st Lt. Ryan Tobin, a spokesperson for the Corps' Manpower and Reserve Affairs, told Military.com on Thursday. "As SDA assignments are critical to recruiting, training, or developing future and present Marines, it is vital to ensure we have the best Marines for these unique opportunities."

Over the last two years, nearly 70% of the SDA billets have been filled by volunteers, according to Tobin. He said that there is no limit for SDA volunteers, adding that the service is encouraging Marines to take advantage of benefits associated with the campaign before spots fill up.

Certain volunteers can receive a "voluntary supplemental incentive" of up to $10,000, paid either in monthly installments or a lump sum. Once those volunteers complete their special duty tour, they can choose a specific geographic location for their next assignment, offering what Tobin called "more certainty" over their future assignment.

Those volunteering for the all-important recruiting billet are offered a "recruiter station incentive," Tobin said.

Currently, there are 2,379 Marines in the Active Reserve program, and they are eligible for all SDA positions, except Marine Security Guard duty.

"It is a leadership imperative to care about Marines' futures, including proper career counseling and mentorship on SDA opportunities and associated timelines," Tobin said.

The annual announcement comes as each branch of the service is struggling to bring in recruits. The Marine Corps, unlike most of the other branches, has continued to meet its recruiting goals in recent years, though sometimes only by a hair. That said, The Associated Press reported last summer that the service had a "surge" in recruiting and expected to achieve its recruiting goal of roughly 33,000 in 2024.

Special duty assignments have been found to produce adverse results for those assigned or volunteering for them. In 2019, the Marine Corps released a study that found some special duty assignments, such as recruiting and drill instructor duty, can result in higher rates of suicidal behaviors, marital issues, and substance misuse.

Still, they are some of the most important jobs in the Corps and are often seen as a potential career boost.

"SDAs are career-enhancing billets and often produce more well-rounded Marines who can return to the Fleet Marine Force with specialized skills and talents," Tobin said.

Related: Marine Corps Combat Instructor Role Once Again a Special Duty Assignment

Drew F. Lawrence

You May Also Like

VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a town hall meeting that he would submit his resignation at the end of President Biden's...

An Israeli official said the target was Fouad Shukur, a top Hezbollah military commander whom the U.S. blames for planning...

Gabriel Stone, a teenager who lived in Warner Robins, Georgia, died at a Macon hospital on July 22 after being injured by a...

Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, was convicted of stealing and making threats of murder by a court in the Russian city of...

Military News

• Investigations and Features
• Military Opinion

Select Service

• National Guard

Most Popular Military News

As vice president, Harris has supported Biden's major initiatives on service members and veterans, including the massive...

The same night a U.S. Army officer filmed himself deleting Army training materials while he was being discharged from the...

The bonuses are aimed at retaining skilled Guardians in some of the service's most crucial job fields.

The incident occurred Monday at the Heritage Club Pool men's locker room, according to a statement from Col. Deedrick Reese...

Law enforcement officials announced Wednesday that they are offering a $20,000 reward in the search for two men who beat and...

Latest Benefits Info

• The GI Bill Can Pay for Testing
• VA Fertility Benefits for Military Veterans
• The Next Deadline for Backdated PACT Act Payments Is Coming Soon. Here’s What You Need to Know
• Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI): What You Need to Know
• Using Your GI Bill For Graduate School

More Military Headlines

The high-dollar, high-profile deal likely didn't lead to a single new Army recruit and may possibly have had a negative...

As the Air Force reorganization (or "reoptimization," as it's called) to face China and Russia continues, the Air Force...

• US Army Cut Off the Pay of Staff Sgt. Gordon Black After His Arrest in Russia, Officials Say
• The Army Bet $11M on The Rock and UFL Ginning Up Enlistments. It May Have Actually Hurt Recruiting Efforts.
• US Army Soldier Accused of Selling Sensitive Military Information Changes Plea to Guilty
• Attorney for Parents of 14-Year-Old Killed in Wall Collapse at Air Force Base Pool Says They're in 'Utter Shock'
• 'All Roads Lead to Dayton,' Secretary of Air Force Frank Kendall Says During Visit
• Pentagon Holding Back on Hypersonic Weapons' Risks, GAO Says
• Special Needs Military Families Report Mixed Feelings About Program to Help with Medical Care, Services
• Russia's Putin Vows 'Mirror Measures' in Response to US Missiles in Germany
• Irish Sisters Christen US Warship Bearing Name of Their Brother, Who Was Lauded for Heroism

Military Benefits Updates

• Virginia Veterans Rally the Troops, State Leaders in Support of Education Benefits
• Indiana Staff Sergeant Identified as Marine Killed in Humvee Rollover During Training at Twentynine Palms
• Marine Gen. George Crist, Who Oversaw Tanker Wars with Iran, Dies at 93
• Coast Guard Investigating Academy Official Who Threatened to Resign over its Handling of Sexual Assault Scandal
• Disaster Response Training at RIMPAC in Hawaii Grows
• Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Honored for Saving 3 Imperiled Sailors in Alaska

Entertainment

• 5 Reasons Why Deadpool Would Be the Best Battle Buddy You Ever Had
• Brendan Fraser to Star as Dwight D. Eisenhower in New D-Day Movie 'Pressure'
• ‘Rabbids: Legends of the Multiverse’ Adds Strategic Twists to a Tower Defense Game