Military pay, allowances recognize troops' contributions Published March 18, 2005 By Gerry J. Gilmore American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Since the Sept. 11 attacks, Defense Department leaders and U.S. legislators “have worked together to increase servicemembers’ basic pay by more than 21 percent,” a senior DOD official told House Armed Services Committee members March 16.DOD officials remain “committed to taking care of servicemembers and their families through appropriate compensation while members are deployed and serving their country in dangerous locations around the world,” said Charles S. Abell, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, before the military personnel subcommittee.U.S. troops are slated for a 3.1 percent across-the-board pay raise this coming year, Mr. Abell said. Additionally, he said the department has met its goal of eliminating troops’ average out-of-pocket housing costs by 2005. In fact, he said military housing allowances are 41 percent greater than they were in 2001.Troops serving in dangerous overseas locations receive various types of tax relief, depending upon rank and income, as well as additional compensation in view of their contributions in fighting and sustaining America’s fight against terrorism, Mr. Abell said.For example, eligible enlisted troops deployed to combat zones have their military pay exempted from federal income tax, he said. Besides their regular pay, these troops also receive $225 monthly in danger pay and a $250 monthly family separation allowance.Mr. Abell said that troops deployed to overseas combat zones also receive hardship duty pay of $100 a month and a $105 monthly incidental expense allowance.An accumulation of such added compensation typically amounts to more than $700 a month for married servicemembers and more than $500 for the typical single troop during deployment, he said.“These pays and allowances acknowledge the hardship and danger involved at these deployment locations, as well as the sacrifice associated with tours away from family,” Mr. Abell said.He said that troops who volunteer to extend their overseas tours of duty in combat zones like Afghanistan and Iraq also can receive an additional $1,000 monthly in assignment incentive pay.DOD officials also want to work with Congress, Mr. Abell said, to increase servicemembers’ hardship duty pay. And the department is seeking to keep its special operations troops in uniform through an array of incentive packages, he said.For example, Mr. Abell said officials “are offering bonuses of up to $150,000 for highly skilled senior noncommissioned officers to serve an additional six years.”