Overview
- The Pentagon announced Thursday that the new rates took effect Oct. 1 and apply across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force.
- Hostile Fire Pay was doubled to $450 per month and Imminent Danger Pay’s monthly cap was raised to $275, with IDP paid at $9.16 per day based on actual days spent in qualifying areas.
- The memo says soldiers cannot collect both pays for the same period and allows commanders to immediately convert personnel from Imminent Danger Pay to Hostile Fire Pay if an area escalates into active combat.
- Defense Finance and Accounting Service lists 58 eligible locations for Imminent Danger Pay, including 18 sites added after Operation Epic Fury increased U.S. deployments to the Middle East.
- To stay within overall limits the memorandum cuts one hardship duty-location rate from $150 to $100, and officials note this is the first increase to these hazard pays since 2002 with budget effects tied to the Pentagon’s FY2027 planning.