Pentagon increases pay for troops in hostile fire for first time in more than 20 years

Pentagon increases pay for troops in hostile fire for first time in over 20 years

The Pentagon increased the pay for U.S. troops in hostile fire and imminent danger, marking the first rate adjustment for those service members in over 20 years .

The update policy bumps the monthly rate for Hostile Fire Pay (HFP) to $450 and the Imminent Danger Pay (IDP) to $275, according to a July Pentagon memo signed by Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Timothy Dill.

The IDP will be prorated a t $9.16 per day , up to a maximum of $275 per month, based on the number of days the service member is in a designated imminent danger area, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

“Our troops in harm’s way deserve compensation t hat reflects their risk.” Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said.

The Hostile Fire Pay and Imminent Danger Pay have been set at a flat monthly rate of $225 since Oct. 2002 , the department said, arguing the new “ tiered model better reflects the differences between serving in an area where danger is possible and facing hostile fire.”

“If an IDP-designated area escalates into active combat, commanders can transition personnel from IDP to HFP immediately. This provides a clear and timely mechanism to acknowledge heightened risk levels,” Parnell said.

The service members will not receive both IDP and HFP for the same period of service.

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