Pentagon increasing hostile fire, imminent danger pay for military personnel
by Mike Glenn · The Washington TimesThe Pentagon is increasing pay for military personnel actively fighting enemy forces or serving in dangerous locations for the first time in more than two decades.
The monthly rate for hostile fire pay is increasing from $225 to $450, and imminent danger pay will be $275 per month.
Defense Department officials said the increases are designed to appropriately compensate service members for different levels of operational risk they face in uniform.
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“The new tiered model better reflects the differences between serving in an area where danger is possible and facing hostile fire,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Thursday.
Under the Pentagon’s policy, service members can’t receive both hostile fire pay (HFP) and imminent danger pay (IDP).
“If an IDP-designated area escalates into active combat, commanders can transition personnel from IDP to HFP immediately,” Mr. Parnell said in a statement. “This provides a clear and timely mechanism to acknowledge heightened risk levels.”
Opinions in the ranks were mixed about the pay bump, with some troops on Reddit approving the measure.
“This would be a solid I can 100% get behind,” one service member posted on the social media site.
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Other personnel said the extra dollars for hostile fire and imminent danger pay aren’t worth the risk.
“I can now afford to buy three [Monster Energy drinks]. Thank you, Senor Government,” another Reddit user responded.
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