Special pays are very different from combat pay. There’s a slew of special pays out there. This makes it quite complicated for a new military servicemember (or perspective one) to figure out how much they can anticipate getting paid on a monthly basis. Pay periods are on the 1st and 15th of the month so expect to get paid twice monthly.
For instance, as a SEAL we would get regular Navy pay, dive pay, demolition pay, hazardous-duty pay, and parachute pay. In addition to that, we would receive off base housing allowance (BAH) which varies by geographic location. Hawaii is more expensive than Virginia, for example, so a servicemember would get more BAH living in Hawaii than VA.
When deployed to a combat zone there are multiple factors that determine how much combat compensation pay the servicemember is eligible for. It is mostly depending on geographic location.
Typically while deployed to a combat zone, military members are eligible to receive their contract bonuses 100 percent tax-free, as well. This can be substantial for an E-7 SEAL who is looking at a bonus of $150,000.
Combat Pay Explained by Defense.gov
“The principal justification for combat compensation is to recognize military personnel who face significant combat risk. In the past, there was a direct relationship between the risk faced by military personnel and the combat compensation they received. For example, Badge Pay was initially only awarded to front-line units in World War II. That relationship has eroded over time, through numerous actions taken since WWII, to broaden coverage.
Today some members who are in declared combat zones are subject to little risk and receive all elements of combat compensation; others who are in hostile situations but not in combat zones do not fully receive combat compensation. Examining casualty rates, both killed-in-action and wounded-in-action, we find many areas in designated combat zones give rise to very little risk (e.g., Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, as well as ships in the combat zone)—more than half of the countries in combat zones have zero casualty rates. Surveys show that military members recognize their combat-zone deployments are often not dangerous.
Eligibility for combat compensation is determined by the designation and management of combat zones. Military members deployed to areas of combat or to combat support operations receive hostile fire pay/imminent danger pay (HFP/IDP) and the combat zone tax exclusion (CZTE). HFP/IDP provides $225 for any month or part of a month the member is deployed to a combat zone or to a designated imminent danger area.
Special pays are very different from combat pay. There’s a slew of special pays out there. This makes it quite complicated for a new military servicemember (or perspective one) to figure out how much they can anticipate getting paid on a monthly basis. Pay periods are on the 1st and 15th of the month so expect to get paid twice monthly.
For instance, as a SEAL we would get regular Navy pay, dive pay, demolition pay, hazardous-duty pay, and parachute pay. In addition to that, we would receive off base housing allowance (BAH) which varies by geographic location. Hawaii is more expensive than Virginia, for example, so a servicemember would get more BAH living in Hawaii than VA.
When deployed to a combat zone there are multiple factors that determine how much combat compensation pay the servicemember is eligible for. It is mostly depending on geographic location.
Typically while deployed to a combat zone, military members are eligible to receive their contract bonuses 100 percent tax-free, as well. This can be substantial for an E-7 SEAL who is looking at a bonus of $150,000.
Combat Pay Explained by Defense.gov
“The principal justification for combat compensation is to recognize military personnel who face significant combat risk. In the past, there was a direct relationship between the risk faced by military personnel and the combat compensation they received. For example, Badge Pay was initially only awarded to front-line units in World War II. That relationship has eroded over time, through numerous actions taken since WWII, to broaden coverage.
Today some members who are in declared combat zones are subject to little risk and receive all elements of combat compensation; others who are in hostile situations but not in combat zones do not fully receive combat compensation. Examining casualty rates, both killed-in-action and wounded-in-action, we find many areas in designated combat zones give rise to very little risk (e.g., Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, as well as ships in the combat zone)—more than half of the countries in combat zones have zero casualty rates. Surveys show that military members recognize their combat-zone deployments are often not dangerous.
Eligibility for combat compensation is determined by the designation and management of combat zones. Military members deployed to areas of combat or to combat support operations receive hostile fire pay/imminent danger pay (HFP/IDP) and the combat zone tax exclusion (CZTE). HFP/IDP provides $225 for any month or part of a month the member is deployed to a combat zone or to a designated imminent danger area.
In a designated combat zone, all pays and bonuses received by an enlisted member or warrant officer are excluded from the calculation of federal and state income taxes.”
Defense.gov makes a great point. What truly constitutes a combat zone should be reconsidered. A great paper on the subject can be found here. Plus, not every combat zone is created equal.
The video below also makes a great job at explaining military pay.
In Summary, Optimization Is Key
Military pay is complicated and should be thoroughly researched to optimize maximum pay and benefits to the warfighter. But, it’s up to you to learn how to optimize it.
An example is that you can claim a tax-free state of residence while stationed in California to avoid expensive CA state income taxes. You simply get an address in TX, FL, WY, or NV and file the form at the military pay office to avoid state tax withholdings.
If you found this article helpful please share it on social media and leave a comment below.
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
One team, one fight,
Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
COMMENTS
There are on this article.
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.